Abstract
Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and associated economic and social responses (e.g., quarantines, business closures) may adversely affect food access and increase food insecurity among at-risk populations such as Indigenous peoples. Therefore, we aimed to assess the food security implications of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown among off-reserve Indigenous people in Canada. Methods: In collaboration with Indigenous co-researchers, we developed an online survey questionnaire containing four subscales: background information, Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), food access, and traditional food consumption. The survey was distributed via SurveyMonkey® to Indigenous adults living in urban areas of Saskatchewan, Canada between August 2021 and March 2022. Results: Out of 99 off-reserve Indigenous peoples who participated in our survey, 78.6% were females, 18.4% were males and 3.0% were other genders with mean age of 35.8 ± 12.5 years (18-75 years). A large proportion of the respondents were single (47.4%), had full-time jobs (50.5%), had at least a bachelor's degree (33.3%), and lived in households with four or more members (46.3%). During the first four months of COVID-19 pandemic, 65.9% of off-reserve Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan experienced some level of food insecurity (27.3% severe, 28.4% moderate, 10.2% marginal). During the same time period, food price increases (47.0%) and limited food availability at markets (38.6%) were reported as the main challenges in accessing food. About 39.2% of respondents also reported challenges in accessing traditional foods during COVID-19 pandemic. Eating less than usual and less preferred foods (25.9%) along with seeking help from food banks, welfare and community agencies (25.9%) were the most frequently reported coping strategies used by individuals living with food insecurity. About 50% of respondents reported receiving no government financial support during the COVID-19 crisis. Conclusions: The short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are exacerbating existing disparities and disproportionately affecting off-reserve Indigenous households that already struggle to meet their basic needs. The issues with supply chain and consequent increase in food cost are creating additional concerns. A rapid, comprehensive policy response is required to mitigate the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic on food security status of off-reserve Indigenous peoples in Canada