Mapping EBT Store Closures During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Low-Income, Food-Insecure Community in San Diego

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), nearly all recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) receive benefits via EBT rather than via paper vouchers (3). Stores on the EBT list for San Diego County include large-scale supermarkets, small-scale local grocers, specialty markets (eg, bakery, butcher), convenience stores, gas station markets, and liquor stores. The 23 stores that either closed or stopped accepting EBT were 1 full-service supermarket, 3 bakeries, 3 produce outlets, 1 ice cream shop, 1 pharmacy, 11 convenience stores, 1 gas station, 1 fish market, and a food delivery service. Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics of Census Block Groups (CBGs) in the San Diego Promise Zone and CBGs Inside the Promise Zone That Experienced a Change in EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) Access From 2019 to 2021{superscript]a Determinant All CBGs in Promise Zone (N = 159) Gained EBT access (n = 13) Lost EBT access (n = 105) Gained EBT access with fresh produce (n = 5) Lost EBT access with fresh produce (n = 63) Mean change in EBT access −1.2 1 −2.0 1 −1.4 Total population 279,511 19,364 186,801 14,310 117,430 % Households