Pandemic left nearly one in three young adults struggling with food insecurity
A new study from the University of Minnesota School of Public Health has revealed the scale of food insecurity among young adults during the pandemic. Researchers found that nearly one in three emerging adults aged 18–29 struggled to access enough food in the past year, with even higher rates among parents and people of colour. The study, published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, surveyed young adults on their experiences between 2020 and 2021. Many reported altering their eating habits due to financial strain, sometimes in ways that could harm long-term health. Concerns about COVID-19 safety in shops and food pantries added further obstacles to getting meals.
Participants from Black, Indigenous, and other racialised communities described facing discrimination while shopping. This, combined with strict eligibility rules for food aid and doubts about the quality of pantry supplies, forced some to develop new strategies for managing food. Researchers noted that limited opening times at assistance sites and poor awareness of available support also made access harder. The findings call for wider distribution of information about emergency food programmes and more flexible operating hours. The team also stressed the need for further investigation into how racism deepens food insecurity and for expanded federal aid for students in higher education.
The research highlights the uneven impact of the pandemic on young adults’ ability to feed themselves and their families. With nearly a third of those surveyed facing food shortages, the study points to systemic gaps in support—particularly for marginalised groups. Authors urge policymakers to address these barriers through targeted reforms and better-resourced assistance programmes.
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