Home and wild food procurement was associated with greater intake of fruits and vegetables during the COVID-19 pandemic in northern New England

ObjectiveThis study examined the effect of home and wild food procurement (HWFP) activities (i.e., gardening, hunting, fishing, foraging, preserving food, raising livestock, and raising poultry for eggs) on food security status, fruit and vegetable intake, and meat consumption. DesignWe used data collected in 2021 and 2022 through two statewide representative surveys (n = 2,001). Dietary intake was assessed using the Dietary Screener Questionnaire. We analyzed the data using linear regression, logistic regression, and ordinal logistic regression models. SettingMaine and Vermont, United States Participants2,001 adults (18 years and older) ResultsSixty-one percent of respondents engaged in HWFP activities; the majority of those gardened. Households engaging in most individual HWFP activities had greater odds of being food insecure. HWFP engagement was positively associated with fruit and vegetable consumption. Specifically, gardening was associated with an additional one cup-equivalent in fruit and vegetable consumption per week compared to respondents that did not garden. Furthermore, when exploring these relationships disaggregated by food security status, we find that this effect is stronger for food insecure households than food secure households. Respondents from households that hunted were more likely to eat wild game meat and also consumed red and white meat more frequently compared to households that did not hunt. ConclusionOverall, our results indicate potential public health and food security benefits from engaging in HWFP activities. Future research should continue to examine a full suite of HWFP activities and their relationship to diet, health, and food security.