Objective: To understand how equity appeared in news about food assistance from 2021.
Methods: We assessed a national sample of news articles (N=298) for equity arguments and language about racial and health equity.
Results: Only 28% of coverage argued that food assistance programs promote equity. Just 6% mentioned people of color or named racial disparities in food access.
Discussion: Narratives that explain how food assistance programs reduce inequities could deepen their policy appeal and broaden public perceptions around recipients.
Health equity implications: There are opportunities for news coverage to expand the discussion of how food assistance programs improve racial and health equity outcomes.
Keywords: food assistance; media; print news; public health; racial inequity; safety net programs.
© Hina Mahmood et al., 2023; Published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.