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Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food – Resources

Selected recent or important resources focusing on Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food.

Importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Rural America
Article examining the impact of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on rural communities, addressing rural-specific needs, challenges, and considerations related to program implementation. Describes rural health disparities and food access issues in rural areas, and the potential effects of changes to SNAP on rural participants.
Author(s): Lisa Harnack, Sruthi Valluri, Simone A. French
Citation: American Journal of Public Health, 109(12), 1641-1645
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
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Availability of Grocery Delivery to Food Deserts in States Participating in the Online Purchase Pilot
Research letter describing a study of the Online Purchase Pilot (OPP), which allows beneficiaries in 8 states to use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to buy groceries online. Includes statistics on the availability of grocery delivery among rural food desert census tracts and SNAP households in the 8 OPP states.
Author(s): Eric J. Brandt, David M. Silvestri, Jerold R. Mandi, Margaret L. Holland, Joseph S. Ross
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 2(12)
Date: 12/2019
Type: Document
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Nutrition Assistance Programs: Agencies Could Do More to Help Address the Nutritional Needs of Older Adults
Report focuses on the shortcomings of the federal nutrition guidelines in meeting the nutritional needs of older adults. Bases recommendations on interviews with older adults in both rural and urban areas.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Gardening for Health: Using Garden Coordinators and Volunteers to Implement Rural School and Community Gardens
Describes a school and community garden intervention initially established by South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension staff members with the support and collaboration of volunteers from schools and community organizations in rural areas and tribal organizations. Highlights how 13 community gardens in South Dakota became an integral part of a local community wellness coalition by improving local access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Includes a 5-minute video about the SDSU community garden program in rural areas and on reservations in South Dakota.
Author(s): Suzanne Stluka, Lacey A. McCormack, Linda Burdette, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
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Promising Practice: Sowing the Seeds of Healthy Eating in Rural Indiana
Illustrates how a training and education program for rural residents living in 7 rural communities within the New Allen Alliance (NAA), a partnership of communities in eastern Allen County, Indiana, encourages healthy cooking, access to healthy foods, and improved health.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 11/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Characterizing the Local Food Environment and Grocery Store Decision-Making among a Large American Indian Community in the North-Central United States: Qualitative Results from the Healthy Foods Healthy Families Feasibility Study
Highlights a study on the perceived barriers to the access of healthy food for rural American Indian communities. Bases conclusions on focus group interviews and discusses potential interventions.
Author(s): Meagan C. Brown, Umit Shrestha, Corrine Huber, et al.
Citation: Public Health Nutrition, 22(14), 2653-2661
Date: 10/2019
Type: Document
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Disrupting Food Insecurity: Steps Communities Can Take
Offers possible solutions to challenges that affect families' ability to afford a healthy diet. Explores strategies developed specifically to meet needs of overlooked rural communities, including help with housing and transportation.
Additional links: Interactive Data Dashboard
Author(s): Caroline Ratcliffe, Elaine Waxman, Cary Lou, Hannah Hassani, Victoria Tran
Date: 10/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Urban Institute
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State-Level and County-Level Estimates of Health Care Costs Associated with Food Insecurity
Results of a study to estimate state- and county-level healthcare costs associated with food insecurity, using data from the 2011-2013 National Health Interview Survey/Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Features statistics including demographic characteristics of participants, with breakdown by location in a nonmetropolitan area.
Author(s): Seth A. Berkowitz, Sanjay Basu, Craig Gundersen, Hilary K. Seligman
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 07/2019
Type: Document
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Opportunities and Challenges Addressing Access to Healthy Food in Five Rural Louisiana Food Stores
Results of a rural food store intervention implemented in 3 Louisiana parishes where obesity prevalence was greater than 40%. Describes implications for public health and offers recommendations for future interventions.
Author(s): Michelle Kendall, Stephanie T. Broyles, Jamila Freightman, Melissa Cater, Denise Holston
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16
Date: 07/2019
Type: Document
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The Impacts of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Redemptions on County-Level Employment
Examines the impact of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) redemptions on employment for nonmetropolitan and metropolitan counties for 2001-2014. Discusses differences before, during, and after the Great Recession. Includes a map showing per capita SNAP redemptions by county for 2010.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): John Pender, Young Jo, Jessica E. Todd, Cristina Miller
Date: 05/2019
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Last Updated: 4/22/2024