Urban agriculture in times of crisis: the role of home food growing in perceived food insecurity and well-being during the early COVID-19 lockdown

Household food insecurity and poor well-being have increased during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulting lockdown measures. Home growing has been associated with improved access well-being, but it is unknown what role plays supply crises lockdown. It also unclear how home social restrictions may affect opinions about in urban areas (i.e., agriculture [UA]). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted UK national March-April 2020 to measure growing, perceived insecurity, of UA. The participants were 477 UK-based adults (369 female, mean age 39.57 years ± 13.36); 152 engaged prior pandemic. Responses compared data collected from a separate sample before (N = 583) explore potential shifts UA. Participants who had lower levels (U ­= 19894.50, z -3.649, p<.001, r -.167) higher (U = 19566.50, -3.666, r -.168) than those not growing. Perceived partially mediated relationship between well-being; less which turn better well-being. There no differences UA pandemic. protective effect over security early stages Opinions positive unchanged pre-pandemic. Policies that support suitable spaces resources be beneficial for system resilience well-being.