Pandemic and access to food resources in Montreal: what impacts on vulnerable populations experiencing food insecurity?

Issue: A public health issue, food insecurity results from an economic situation that does not allow individuals to have adequate income to eat enough. Before the pandemic, 12% of Montreal households were experiencing food insecurity. The COVID-19 health crisis, leading thousands of Quebecers into financial instability, increased the prevalence of food insecurity to 26% in April 2020. It also had significant consequences on food practices, the local food environment and the services of community food organizations, while the use of these organizations is one of the strategies used in situations of food insecurity. Objective: Understand how accessibility to community food organizations in the local environment influences the ability of low-income households to feed themselves before and since the application of health measures related to COVID-19. Methodology: 'Life story' type interviews (duration: 60 minutes) with representatives of 24 low-income households in 4 Montreal neighbourhoods (n=6 / territory), presenting diverse portraits in access to community food organizations. Contributions: This study will contribute to the knowledge of the impact of the economic blockage on a segment of the population affected by food insecurity 12 months after the health crisis. The results will be used to improve public health interventions by the Montreal Regional Public Health Department and other authorities, to promote access to and food supply for vulnerable people on the Island of Montreal.