Access to transportation and food for users of non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver before and during the COVID-19 crisis

Food that is available yet inaccessible cannot ensure urban food security. This study involved an online survey (n=84) and semi-structured follow-up key informant interviews (n=10) with individuals at least 19 years old who accessed food at a non-profit food hub located in the City of Vancouver more than once before and during the COVID-19 crisis. Data from the survey and interviews highlight which individuals and families access non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver, how they access them, and what barriers they face to access them. Drawing from the findings, a few recommendations are provided in terms of potential ways to increase the accessibility of food at non-profit food hubs in the City of Vancouver. This study emphasizes how the current two-tier food system perpetuates stigma and harms the well-being of marginalized populations in the City of Vancouver in their journey to obtain food.