Online Grocery and Food Delivery Services on Food Insecurity: A Case of U.S. Households Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

NMSU researchers assessed the impact of online grocery shopping and food delivery services on food insecurity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on an online survey of 1532 respondents, they found that online grocery shopping and food delivery services increase food insecurity. Moreover, households with female primary shoppers were less likely to be food insecure than households with male primary shoppers. Furthermore, households with children were more likely to be food insecure. Minority households such as Black, Hispanic, Native American, and younger households were more likely to be food insecure. The study underscores the importance of making online shopping and delivery services affordable by lowering delivery fees (particularly during a crisis like COVID-19) and accessible by expanding free broadband access. Further, the findings highlight the need for targeted policies and programs for low-income, younger, minority, and households with female primary shoppers to reduce food insecurity, particularly during times of crisis.