Impact of COVID-19 on food access

COVID-19 had adverse impact on health, education and food security and nutrition among many other sectors and normal way of life. However, not so much is known about how COVID-19 impacted food accessibility and consumption behavior among different social groups. This study analyzed the relationship between workers' income and family expenses before and during COVID-19, and its impact on food consumption behavior among employees' families in Bungoma County. Mixed survey methods were used basing on questionnaires with a sample of 89 respondents (middle and low level) and semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of nine participants (upper level) who were workers of Bungoma County. Descriptive analysis was used to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed on the basis of thematic analysis. Findings show that COVID-19 negatively affected employees of Bungoma County as it reduced their ability to purchase food due to reduced monthly income and increased food cost. Likewise, COVID-19 reduced access and availability of all types of food and influenced the significant change in the eating habits of workers, as the number and quality of meals reduced.