Food Security Status and Food Purchasing Behaviors

Michele Polacsek PhD MHS, Director of the UNE Center for Excellence in Public Health (CEPH), and Thomas Meuser PhD, Director for Center for Excellence in Aging and Public Health (CEAH) along with Debra Brucker PhD, Research Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire, and Alyssa Moran ScD MPH RD, Assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have completed a Brief presenting survey findings from a sample of older Maine residents regarding their food security and purchasing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the survey was not representative of the older Maine population as a whole, findings demonstrate that older residents with disabilities may be suffering greater food insecurity and face more barriers to healthy eating than do other residents. These populations may require tailored support in acquiring preferred foods and to successfully navigate online ordering and delivery, for example. For more information, contact Michele Polacsek at mpolacsek@une.edu.