Food Access and Food Insecurity among Early Childhood Educators and Staff Prior to and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Emerging research indicates that 40% of early childhood education (ECE) workers experience food insecurity. The purpose of this study was to describe the food insecurity and food access of Head Start teachers and staff in Mississippi before the COVID-19 pandemic and to understand how COVID-19 affected food access. A mixed-methods design was employed using cross-sectional surveys, at two different time points, and three focus groups. Three Head Start centers from the Mississippi Coast participated. Approximately 52% of teacher and staff respondents experienced food insecurity before COVID-19; during the pandemic, their level of food insecurity worsened from low to very low and then seemed to improve. Approximately 27% relied on multiple sources of food assistance during COVID-19. The main themes from the qualitative results described how ECE participants and their families changed their daily routines and how they managed resources. For example, some participated in online shopping, while others cut back on groceries. Teachers and school staff, especially in early education, are suffering from food insecurity in Mississippi. Though they have shown some resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, their food insecurity persists. Implications include the need for comprehensive benefits and programs for Head Start and other early childhood educators.