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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Food security and nutrition

Future Directions for Rural Population Research: Findings from RPRN's Listening Sessions
Summarizes 5 listening sessions with rural development practitioners aiming to identify areas of research need by rural population researchers. Discusses trends in agriculture and food systems, community and economic development, the environment and natural resources, and health, healthcare, and disability services. Offers recommendations related to information sharing, community involvement in research, data gathering, and best practices and evaluation.
Author(s): Kristina Brant, Paige, Kelly, Danielle Rhubart, et al.
Date: 11/2024
Type: Document
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Fiscal Years 2021-2023 USDA Report to Congress on Reducing Barriers to Food Access
Examines federal strategies between October 2020 and September 2023 to improve food access in the United States. Discusses resilient food systems, nutrition assistance programs, safety and sustainability, and research and evaluation activities. Includes examples of rural and tribal development, food policy, and funding.
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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Barriers to Access to Local Produce in an Early Childhood Setting in Rural Appalachia
Analyzes access to fresh produce in early childhood programs in Appalachia as well as farm to school programming. Utilizes semi-structured interview feedback with program directors to examine issues such as staffing, increased work loads, regulations, and lack of funding, knowledge, parental involvement, and equipment.
Author(s): Erali' Tracie Miller, Kathleen Schroeder, Bhuwan Thapa, Elizabeth Shay
Citation: Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 14(1), 1-15.
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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Trends in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates: Fiscal Year 2020 and Fiscal Year 2022
Presents information on eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) alongside actual participation in SNAP. Presents information on households, children, elderly, refugees, low-income families, persons with disabilities, and other groups enrolled in the program. Tables A.3 and B.3 show rural versus urban participation.
Additional links: Summary
Author(s): Alma Vigil, Nima Rahimi
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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2023 Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service: Results from the 2023 Summer Non-Congregate Sponsor Survey
Evaluates the implementation of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which permanently allowed for rural non-congregate meal service as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Meal Programs. Provides 2023 survey data from State agency sponsors operating summer non-congregate meal service for children, with a focus on site participation, sponsor experiences, meal pick up sites, meal delivery, and future plans for non-congregate meal service.
Additional links: Appendix A - Survey, Data Tables
Author(s): Susannah Barr
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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A Qualitative Study of Rural Plant-Based Eaters' Knowledge and Practices for Nutritional Adequacy
Examines nutritional knowledge, strategies, and access to nutritional expertise among 28 adults who follow a flexitarian, pescatarian, vegan, or vegetarian diet in rural Vermont. Discusses factors influencing the nutritional adequacy of plant-based diets, and identifies gaps in nutritional support for rural people following plant-based diets.
Author(s): Michelle Leonetti, Jane Kolodinsky, Amy Trubek, Emily H. Belarmino
Citation: Nutrients, 16(20), 3504
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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The 2024 State of Poverty in Ohio Report
Provides an overview of poverty in Ohio, with a focus on childhood poverty, family impacts, food security, healthcare access, and more. Includes county-level data on poverty rates, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)-approved vendors, and maternity care access.
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies
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Work Conditions and Family Food Insecurity Among Adults Ages 18–64: United States, 2021
Examines food insecurity among working adults aged 18 to 64 and their families. Utilizes 2021 National Health Interview Survey to analyze food insecurity according to type of work shift, work schedule, advance notice of work schedule, and monthly change in earnings, with additional breakdowns of worker sociodemographics, including rural versus urban residence.
Author(s): Laryssa Mykyta, Julie D. Weeks
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Center for Health Statistics
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Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study of an Online Weight Loss Program in Rural, Underserved Communities
Examines the feasibility and impact of implementing an online weight loss program in rural, underserved communities. Follows results of the 1-year intervention, analyzing 16 recruited individuals and their ability to attend nutrition and lifestyle education sessions, complete diet and weight monitoring, and achieve weight loss.
Author(s): Ashleigh Oliveira, Nouf Alfouzan, Jin Yu, et al.
Citation: Peer J Life and Environment, 12
Date: 10/2024
Type: Document
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Legislative Resolution 374: Interim Study to Examine the Availability of Healthy and Affordable Food Choices in Nebraska Communities
Reports on food insecurity and independent grocery stores in rural Nebraska, with data on communities' food access, factors influencing food security in rural areas, and independent grocery stores' operations and community benefit. Highlights program models supporting food access and sustainability.
Author(s): Carlie Jonas
Date: 09/2024
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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