Participant and Stakeholder Perceptions of the Food FARMacy Emergency Food Assistance Program for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Morgan A Finkel; Daniela Barrios; Ivette Partida; Elizabeth Kelman; Emma Hulse; Alyson Rosenthal; Jeremy Reiss; Rachel Schwartz; Dodi Meyer; Jennifer A Woo Baidal; HERALD collaborative

doi:10.1016/j.jand.2023.10.021

Participant and Stakeholder Perceptions of the Food FARMacy Emergency Food Assistance Program for the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

J Acad Nutr Diet. 2023 Nov 4:S2212-2672(23)01638-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.10.021. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Collaborators

HERALD collaborative:
Carey Jernigan, Nandini Kannan, Celine Bien-Aime, Ngoc Duong, Amelia Shapiro, John Rausch, Sarah Tan, Ronald Sanchez, Karen Ann Amin, Ralitsa-Kona Kalfas, Luz Mercado

Affiliations

¹ Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York.
² Clinical Patient Coordinator, Union Square Practice, New York, New York.
³ Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York.
⁴ NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York.
⁵ CHALK Program, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York.
⁶ West Side Campaign Against Hunger, New York, New York.
⁷ Henry Street Settlement, New York, New York.
⁸ Public Health Solutions, New York, New York.
⁹ Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York; NewYork-Presbyterian Division of Community and Population Health/Columbia Campus, New York, New York.
¹⁰ Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons and NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital, New York, New York. Electronic address: jw3286@cumc.columbia.edu.

PMID: 37926236
DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.10.021

Abstract

Background: Food FARMacy is a clinical-community emergency food assistance program developed in response to food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Few qualitative studies have examined participant, and clinical and community stakeholder experiences with these food assistance programs.

Objective: To examine the motivations, experiences, and perceptions of Food FARMacy participants and program stakeholders.

Design: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews between March 2021 and July 2021.

Participants and setting: Twenty-four Food FARMacy participants and 10 program stakeholders in New York, NY (Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens) older than age 18 years were interviewed.

Statistical analyses performed: Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Participant and program stakeholder interviews were analyzed separately. Themes that were salient in both groups were combined for reporting.

Results: Both program participants and stakeholders perceived: pandemic-related demands combined with reduced resources motivated participation; convenience, safety, and ease of access facilitated program retention; participants valued fresh produce and diversity of foods; the program improved diet and health; minimizing food waste was a priority; and social cohesion was an unexpected program benefit. Two additional themes among only program stakeholders also were identified: aligned values, flexibility, and communication were key to successful partnerships; and trust between community partners and community members drove programmatic success.

Conclusions: Results suggest that a multisite clinical-community partnership to provide emergency food assistance in New York City can be leveraged to reduce barriers to healthy food access and address food insecurity during crises.

Keywords: COVID-19; Cross-sector collaboration; Food insecurity; Food pantry; Qualitative research.