Addressing Food Insecurity During COVID-19: A Role for Rural Federally Qualified Health Centers

Abstract

In rural communities, existing food insecurity, chronic diseases, and an aging population create a complex environment that has the potential to strain health systems despite lower overall COVID-19 case counts. Past pandemics have revealed that populations served by the primary care safety net require resources beyond federal and state aid programs. At our federally qualified health center (FQHC), we have adapted our food prescription program for patients with chronic diseases to a home delivery service, which leverages existing relationships between care coordinators and patients. Such efforts may fill underlying gaps in food supply and distribution through cross-sector collaboration with farms and non-governmental agencies. The current pandemic highlights an opportunity for FQHCs to proactively engage with communities and build upon existing outreach efforts to address issues of nutrition and food access. Prompt and targeted interventions can establish partnerships within community food systems and advance long-term program implementation.