“The State of the Washington State Food System During COVID-19: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead,” [PDF 51MB] authored by researchers with the University of Washington who synthesized several rich datasets and surveys that were collected throughout Washington about the state food system during the pandemic.

“Assessing WA Food System Through an Equity Lens: Bridging the Gap Through a Culturally Relevant Approach,” [PDF 26MB] conducted by an informal leadership team that was assembled in collaboration with the Washington State University Food Systems Program.

Food assistance needs increased greatly and required temporary adaptations across all food access channels, due to rapid market shifts, distribution disruptions, logistical and labor challenges, rising operational costs, food shortages, transportation barriers, and other factors.

Food producers and households alike faced COVID-19 challenges, though the effects were uneven. Some households experienced far greater food insecurity than others.

The pandemic strained, but did not break Washington’s food production system due to the diverse dimensions of Washington’s food system, real-time innovations and collaborations, high adaptability among producers, strong leadership, and many other factors.

New food access channels made food more available to hard-to-reach populations, though the reports make clear that specific communities may need targeted attention. 

Significant opportunities exist for creating a more resilient and economically viable food system by, for instance, improving food access and food security, creating systems that serve specific groups with higher needs, addressing labor and staffing challenges, and making strategic investments.

Producers were deeply affected by COVID-19 and pivoted rapidly to adapt. BIPOC (Black, Indiginous and People of Color) farmers and producers, in particular, need more financial and logistical support.

Food assistance needs increased dramatically and inequities were exacerbated but the formation of new partnerships and creative approaches helped address the growing need. At the same time, WSU researchers found that the systems supporting food production and food access are fragile, relying extensively on unpaid and underpaid labor. 

Supply chains became stressed and are still evolving. Equity-centered funding is needed to boost supplier and supply chain diversification and capacity building, expand business development opportunities, and increase access to tools to help BIPOC-led efforts thrive. 

Greater equity in Washington’s food system will take an investment of resources and an increase in BIPOC participation in food system programs and policy-directed interventions. 

Equitable food system changes will require that efforts center on racial equity, construction of a collaborative infrastructure, and the development of more robust equity assessment tools.