P48 Preliminary Analysis from Statewide Stakeholder Interviews Around the Impact of Food Access During COVID-19

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 24 million adults reported that their households sometimes or often lacked sufficient food in last 7 days, with Black and Latino approximately 3 times as likely White to report insecurity.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was assess impact on access Rhode Island (RI), document challenges encountered, identify promising practices policy solutions by conducting individual, 1-hour key stakeholder interviews from September-November 2020.Study Design, Settings, ParticipantsVirtual qualitative (n = 25) were conducted 33 stakeholders 25 community organizations located throughout RI. This includes state/city agencies 9), nonprofit 5), Health Equity Zone representatives pantries/food bank 4), a home-delivered meal program 1), FQHC 1) primarily serve low-income racial/ethnic minority populations.Measurable Outcome/AnalysisA structured interview guide developed capture scope work, successes challenges, health disparities including how adjusted during provide safely. All recorded, transcribed, thematically coded NVivo priori codes analysis. An inductive deductive approach used themes.ResultsPreliminary findings suggest struggled meet needs due unemployment, lack culturally relevant foods, insufficient resources (ie, funding, personal protective equipment, technology), exacerbation existing connected transportation storage needs. Despite these included enhanced collaboration between new partnerships among stakeholders, increased effective communication populations they serve, increases initiatives support needs.ConclusionOur highlight need ensure coordinated response through strategic leadership has focus vulnerable appropriate emergency situations. During insecurity. The 2020. Virtual populations. A themes. Preliminary Our