Behavioral Economics for the Food Insecure

Food security is a term that refers to access to adequate food by all people at all times for a healthy, active life. Food insecurity is one of the major issues in New York City that has worsened due to the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, approximately 12% of NYC residents were reporting food insecurity fears (Chang par, 2). According to a publication by Food Bank for New York City, the citys food distribution program provides nearly 80 million free meals annually to needy New Yorkers (par, 1). It is estimated that 50% of the 2.2 million New York State residents who are food insecure are from New York City. The rate of food insecurity in the city is 12% and 16% more than the national rate and the New York State rate respectively (Food Bank for New York City, par, 3). One of the most food-insecure areas in the United States is Bronx at 62.1% (Soni par, 4). It is estimated that 23.7% of residents in Morrisania, Bronx are food insecure (NYC Food Policy Editor, par 3).

Food insecurity in New York City has worsened because of the coronavirus pandemic, which has negatively affected livelihoods across the globe. Following the pandemic, food insecurity in NYC has increased to 32% as local food pantries are stretched to the limit (Chang par, 2). While various governmental and non-governmental stakeholders have initiated new food assistance programs, the rate of food insecurity has increased tremendously in NYC following COVID-19. This dramatic increase is an indicator of the need for urgent federal help and increased food stamp benefits for residents.

The concept of food security has been the subject of numerous studies in recent years as it has attracted the attention of various stakeholders including economists and policymakers. Economists contend that food insecurity in low-income countries is a by-product of socio-economic conditions and the performance of small scale farmers. However, for high-income countries, food insecurity is an issue of market stability, price volatility, and food waste (Saravia-Matus, Paloma & Mary, p.65). These factors combine to shape productivity and the use of resources, which in turn influences food insecurity. Rocha contends that food insecurity is influenced by the concept of market failure, particularly the ideas of public goods and market externalities (p.5). These...

Additionally, the food benefit/income ratio plays an important role in shaping food insecurity (Chavas, p.58). Markets and income redistribution policies or food policies determine the level of individual access to food.

Food resource guides provide information on where people who are food insecure can access food within the community. While these guides are considered critical in efforts to help address food insecurity, they are not used by many people. One of the reasons why many people do not use the guides is that food pantry or food banks are not reliably open. Based on a study conducted in Bronx, NY, only half of food pantries are open when listed in an open directory (Ginsburg et al., p.16).

Secondly, many people do not use the Food Guides because they contain pre-selected handouts that do not cater to personal preferences. In essence, most of these guides are generalized and do not consider individual preferences. Consequently, many people do not feel that the guidelines will meet their individual needs and preferences.

The third bottleneck/reason is the perceptions of food insecure people regarding food pantries or food banks. These perceptions range from feelings of inadequacy to unreliability of food provision and insufficient food supply to meet their demands. The perceptions contribute to reluctance by food insecure people to use food resource guides to get food supply.

The bottleneck that will be the focus of this proposed project is the perceptions of food insecure people regarding using food pantries or food banks for food supply. This bottleneck relates to acceptability, which is one of the five dimensions of access to adequate food (Ginsburg et al., p.16). This bottleneck was selected because it can be easily addressed through behavioral modification. It is something within the control of the food insecure individual unlike the other bottlenecks, which are under the control of other stakeholders.

One of the potential solutions to this bottleneck/reason is creating a social support network to encourage food insecure people to utilize food resource guides and food pantries for food supply. A social support network would help shape the perceptions of these individuals and influence their food supply decisions.

Secondly, this bottleneck can be addressed by food choice nudges, which help to change peoples behaviors in a predictable manner. Food choice nudges would increase food choices among food insecure people and would promote the use of food resource…