Barriers to Community Food Resources Among Older Adults Living in a Food Desert during Covid 19: Observation and Perceptions of Providers and Older Adult Stakeholders

Background and Purpose: Finding proper nutrition for individuals living in or near a food desert is of particular concern for community dwelling older adults, many who experience chronic health problems. Researchers examining the experiences and perspectives of both community food providers and recipients (older community members) regarding local food options, access, and availability in food access and food giveaways, aim to uncover the challenges and potential opportunities within the food desert community. This qualitative study explores barriers and challenges in food accessibility for older adults in Flint, Michigan, and seeks to identify strategies for improving healthy food consumption among older adults in Flint.

Methods: Qualitative data was collected at four focus group sessions in early 2022. Two focus groups included 15 older adults, 65 years of age or older. They shared their experiences and challenges regarding food accessibility. The other focus groups included six professionals employed at agencies connected to food distribution. Based on responses from both groups, we revealed challenges to food access/distribution among older adults by asking participants' experiences about and insights on a) local food accessibility and availability, and b) community resources and assistance related to food and nutrition. We conducted the content analysis. Two coders reviewed the transcripts and cross-checked the emerging themes from both older adults and food providers.

Results: Mobility and limited access to information emerged as significant barriers to food access. Older adults shared that driving was expensive (such as gas prices), they had limited driving capabilities, and experienced challenges associated with walking from distant parking areas. Food providers confirmed that transportation was one of the major barriers to food access.

Older adults were unaware of all food distribution options, such as digital apps to find food distribution or the best pricing for goods at local grocery stores, despite numerous food assistance in the community during COVID-19. Older adults shared increased prices during the COVID-19 and limited access to information as major concerns. Food providers also highlight gaps in communication and knowledge of community food provision as barriers to older adults accessing food. As non-profit agencies and businesses rely more on digital communication, written communication is often forgotten, leaving out many older adults. Other identified barriers to food resource information included literacy issues, language barriers (growing Arabic and Spanish-speaking populations), and lack of overall knowledge on where to go for community food.

Conclusions and Implications: Our findings show the unique circumstances and challenges that older adults experience in the food desert community. Further, we found discrepancies in perceptions regarding food resources between food providers and older adults. The findings inform strategies for enhancing local food access and nutritional support within the community. Implications for addressing gaps in communication will help to address food access and nutrition security for older adults in marginalized communities such as Flint, MI.