The Effect of Unemployment on Food Spending and Adequacy: Evidence from Coronavirus‐Induced Firm Closures

Abstract We estimate the impact of involuntary unemployment following employer shutdowns during COVID-19 pandemic on American households' past-week food expenditures, free receipt, and sufficiency, as well confidence about next month's adequacy Over April to June 2020, compared with households containing employed respondents, respondents who lost their jobs due coronavirus-induced firm closures spent 15% less food, were 36% more likely receive 10% have enough eat, 21% report at least moderate in future ability afford needed foods JEL CLASSIFICATION I12;J21;J63