The paper "A mixed-methods study to determine the impact of COVID-19 on food security, food access and supply in regional Australia," by Stephanie Louise Godrich, Johnny Lo, Katherine Kent, Flavio Macau, and Amanda Devine, investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic affected food security and supply in regional Australia, particularly in South West Western Australia. Using both consumer surveys and interviews with food supply stakeholders, the study found that 21% of consumers were food insecure, with young people and those with disabilities most affected. The pandemic caused price increases, altered purchasing habits, and led to a temporary reduction in food availability due to panic buying. Stakeholders noted a shift toward buying locally grown food and highlighted supply chain disruptions that aligned with consumer concerns.
Source: Canva