Food insecurity during COVID-19:a place-based understanding of Fresno, California

One’s surrounding political, cultural, policy, and societal environment can influence food security status. These multiple, varied levels of contextual conditions within a location interact with each other, facilitating or impeding one’s ability to be food secure. This case study offers place-based insights into food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Fresno, California, based on qualitative data. Results revealed nine themes that shaped the 12 participants’ food security status during the pandemic, with specific place-based insights. Analysis highlights the complexity and interconnectedness of said themes onto food (in)security and links these understandings to better our place-based understanding of food (in)security. Further reflections include how policy and food insecurity responses could be bettered through place-based understandings, including in a future pandemic.