Understanding Micro-pantries as an Emergency Food Source During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To explore the role of micro-pantries in addressing food insecurity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design: Qualitative interviews with 20 micro-pantry users and 10 stakeholders during April and May, 2020.

Setting: Six US states.

Participants: Users, aged ≥ 18 years, had obtained food from a micro-pantry in the past 2 weeks; stakeholders, aged ≥ 18 years, played a role in organizing micro-pantries at the community, regional, or national levels.

Phenomena of interest: Impact of COVID-19 on food insecurity and use of micro-pantries to mitigate it; benefits of, suggested improvements to, and adoption and administration of micro-pantries.

Analysis: We transcribed the data verbatim and performed deductive qualitative content analysis.

Results: Micro-pantry users had increased their use of both micro-pantries and regular food pantries during the pandemic. Micro-pantries helped stretch resources. Users appreciated the anonymity and choice; the mutual aid aspects reduced stigma. Stakeholders described micro-pantries as providing a direct way for neighbors to help neighbors during the pandemic. They described a decentralized and informal system of administration.

Conclusions and implications: Findings suggest that micro-pantries provided a supplemental food source that supported the resilience of communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: charitable food; food insecurity; mutual aid; pandemic; resilience.