This website is being reviewed for updates. Some information is offline. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food – Resources

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

School Meals Programs and Other USDA Child Nutrition Programs: A Primer
Describes how federal child nutrition programs operate under current law, including eligibility rules, participation, and funding. Features statistics including reimbursement rates with breakdowns by rural or urban locations.
Date: 02/2019
Sponsoring organization: Congressional Research Service
view details
Fruit and Vegetable Preferences and Practices may Hinder Participation in Community Supported Agriculture among Low-Income Rural Families
Presents a study on the effect food preferences have on rates of participation in community agriculture programs for low-income families in rural areas. Bases results on interviews with families regarding fruit and vegetable preferences.
Author(s): Karla L. Hanson, Jennifer Garner, Leah M. Connor, et al.
Citation: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 51(1), 57-67
Date: 01/2019
view details
Community-Wide Efforts to Improve the Consumer Food Environment and Physical Activity Resources in Rural Kentucky
Highlights the efforts of a community project in Kentucky to increase access to healthy foods and opportunities to be physically active. Details the project's work with grocery store managers to increase the availability of healthy food and with community members to develop and improve physical activity resources.
Author(s): Alison Gustafson, Margaret McGladrey,Tammy Stephenson, et al.
Citation: Preventing Chronic Disease, 16:180322
Date: 01/2019
view details
Prevalence of Food Insecurity Varied by Household Characteristics in 2017
Bar chart showing low food security and very low food security by household characteristics, including location in a principal city, suburban, or rural area.
Date: 10/2018
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Food Choice Considerations Among American Indians Living in Rural Oklahoma: The THRIVE Study
Reports the findings of a modified Food Choices Values (FCV) Questionnaire administered to 83 American Indian (Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma) customers who shop at tribally owned convenience stores at least 3 times a week. Questionnaire requested information related to buying and eating food, including sensory appeal, safety, accessibility, weight control, convenience, and organic and comfort food. Research findings were used to design and implement a healthy retail intervention within two tribally owned and managed convenience stores.
Author(s): Marianna S. Wetherill, Mary B. Williams, Micah L. Hartwell, et al.
Citation: Appetite, 128, 14-20
Date: 09/2018
view details
Digging In: Supporting a Healthy, Sustainable Food Future in Omaha Nation
Highlights a report on the Omaha Nation Food System Initiative to provide access to a sustainable source of healthy food for the Native people living on Omaha Reservation. Details the effects of the initiative on health and wellness of the people in the community.
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
view details
Characteristics of the Food Insecure in the U.S.
Collection of charts showing data on food insecurity in the prerecession period of 2001-2007, the 2008-2009 recession, and the 2010-2017 post-recession period. Includes data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas.
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Characteristics of U.S. Households with Food-insecure Children
Collection of bar charts showing trends in food insecurity in children, including data for metropolitan and nonmetro areas, with data from 2008 through 2017.
Date: 09/2018
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
view details
Non-maternal and Non-neonatal Inpatient Stays in the United States Involving Malnutrition, 2016
Reports national estimates of malnutrition during non-maternal and non-neonatal hospital inpatient stays in 2016, with information for six different categories of malnutrition. Includes data by location of patient residence for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas.
Author(s): M.L. Barrett, M.K. Bailey, P.L. Owens
Date: 08/2018
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
view details
Both Rural and Urban SNAP Recipients Affected by Proposed Work Requirements
Presents work status data for rural and urban Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Identifies those exempt from work requirements under current law who may face a new work requirement under proposed legislation, breaking out the current work hours of this group. Briefly discusses the scarcity and expense of child care.
Author(s): Jessica A. Carson
Date: 07/2018
Sponsoring organization: Carsey School of Public Policy
view details

Additional resources are available related to this guide. See the full list of resources by topic for:


Last Updated: 2/6/2025