COVID Connections: Lessons from Adaptations to COVID‐19 as Strategies for Building Food System Resilience

Abstract

To identify elements of crisis response that might hold lessons for resilience beyond the current moment, we studied a central North Carolina food system during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Based on ethnographic interviews with farmers, employees and volunteers of food access organizations, and local government employees, our work found that connection, networking, innovation, and technology adoption were sources of strength and growth. Lessons: food system actors found that their social connections helped them to exchange information and resources, meet increased food needs among SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) participants and Latina/os immigrants, and combine efforts to adopt technologies and learn from new labor pools. Challenges: while navigating COVID‐19, food system actors faced challenges spanning labor, safety, information, government policies, supply shortages, weather, and unreliable information. In addition to lessons and challenges, we offer a series of future research directions that we identified in our study findings. Our study shows that small‐scale production and local food organization and government responses are important and dynamic parts of a resilient food system. Regional systems’ actors were able to pivot more quickly than large‐scale systems and presented a more flexible, locally suitable model that will likely prove adaptive beyond the pandemic.

Farm resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of California direct market farmers

“…In other words, farmers who reported an increase in online sales and marketing were more likely to agree with the statement that their operation was able to respond to the pandemic and report an increase in profitability. This is in line with other pandemic research indicating that online sales played a central role in supporting farm resilience during the pandemic ( Bachman et al, 2021 ; Erjavec et al, 2021 ; Hsiao and Tuan, 2021 ; O'Connell et al, 2021 ; Schreiber et al, 2022 ). Specifically, when direct-to-consumer market channels were shut down due to pandemic-related restrictions, online platforms and social media acted as a key intermediary between farmers and consumers ( Danovich, 2020a ; Lamb, 2020 ; Meuwissen et al, 2021 ; Pretty, 2020 ).…”

Coalition Building and Food Insecurity: How an Equity and Justice Framework Guided a Viable Food Assistance Network

“…A well-built coalition can withstand—and even become stronger—when forced to manage an emergency response in the food assistance system, as demonstrated by CFAN’s ability to strengthen during the COVID crisis. Similar to a previous study, CFAN demonstrated a high level of collaboration in sharing resources and communicating best practices, leading to a coordinated effort to support the New Haven community ([ 14 ]). With a continued and sustained intention and focus on implementing its work through the CEJ framework, Principles of Collaborating for Equity and Justice, CFAN is a promising model that has the potential for leading transformational changes within food assistance systems.…”

“…There is also limited research on COVID-related coalition building to meet food insecurity and food access needs. One study explored the experiences of community food partners and found that formal and informal social networks played a significant role in organizations’ and individuals’ abilities to adapt during the pandemic [ 14 ]. Many organizations in this study reported collaborating with similar organizations to communicate best practices and restrictions and gather information about food access needs and limitations, leading to a coordinated effort to support their local communities [ 14 ].…”

“…One study explored the experiences of community food partners and found that formal and informal social networks played a significant role in organizations’ and individuals’ abilities to adapt during the pandemic [ 14 ]. Many organizations in this study reported collaborating with similar organizations to communicate best practices and restrictions and gather information about food access needs and limitations, leading to a coordinated effort to support their local communities [ 14 ]. Those who did not have access to these networks reported that there was often redundancy and lack of coordination in their efforts [ 14 ].…”

“…Many organizations in this study reported collaborating with similar organizations to communicate best practices and restrictions and gather information about food access needs and limitations, leading to a coordinated effort to support their local communities [ 14 ]. Those who did not have access to these networks reported that there was often redundancy and lack of coordination in their efforts [ 14 ]. Few models exist that demonstrate collaborative efforts to combat food insecurity, especially during a public health crisis.…”