Patterns, Pandemic Challenges and Research Directions: Understanding Household Food Security in Quito

This research brief presents the key findings of a household food security survey conducted in Quito in early 2023. The findings provide valuable insights into how households in Quito experienced food security challenges during and after the pandemic, laying the foundation for further research on post-pandemic recovery in urban settings in Ecuador. This study underscores that employment conditions and food affordability were more significant determinants of food security than food availability itself. Informal support networks played an important role in maintaining access to food, particularly during the pandemic when government assistance was limited. Additionally, while dietary diversity remained relatively high, it did not always correlate directly with income. Lower dietary diversity scores in households with relative income advantages suggest that food security is shaped by more than just economic resources, pointing to the need for further research and broader policy considerations.