Table 1: Major themes, subthemes and representative quotes related to food security status among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic as identified through participant interviews (n=20).

Major theme  

Subthemes  

Representative quotes  

Financial-Related Barriers 

Food price inflation 

...yeah, I used to get nuts and all that, but nuts went up, I mean skyrocket.  Skyrocket.  I used to eat pistachios and mixed nuts, but at Publix now they’re $21 for the same size as they were for $13 last year.  

 

Changes to SNAP benefits  

I was getting $234 with the pandemic [benefit] then they cut it down to $135.  

 

Access-Related Barriers  

Food shortages 

…when it was at the height [of COVID-19], you know, it was a little bit difficult.  They run short on some things…but I just…powered through it.  

 

Transportation limitations 

 

At first it was kind of hard, you know, because it was really bad and then I couldn’t to go to the store and everything, and…people didn’t want to give you a ride home or nothing, it was very hard.  

 

Fear of going out due to susceptibility to virus 

...I got all my shots...so I’m not taking any chances because it’s a pretty deadly disease.  And have you- have you ever had any kind of upper chest infection...it’s no party because if...your lungs get full...then they have to put you on a respirator...I don’t want any part of that...pull the plug. 

 

I just tried to limit...being around crowds...I’ve become cloistered, I become anxious [when out in public spaces].  

 

Social Issues 

Loss of interpersonal resources 

...I had a heart attack two weeks after they shut everything down. Yeah, it was pretty difficult.  My son lives two blocks from me, so he shopped for me and dropped things off at my door, so I could pick it up and bring it in and put it away. 

 

Heightened consequences of lack of interpersonal resources 

 [Interviewer]: ...does anyone help you with getting enough...food...or meals? 

 

They were at first, but since the pandemic, now they’ve cut back on everything around where I live...I have nobody.  It’s just me.