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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.

Working With Rural Producers to Expand EBT in Farmers' Markets: A Case Study in Hardeman County, Tennessee
Reviews a case study about how an Extension program encouraged rural Tennessee farmers market producers to accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). Discusses the outcomes of a workshop about how to begin the EBT application process, advertise SNAP at a farmers market, and improve health benefits by expanding food access.
Author(s): Karen L. Franck, Soghra Jarvandi, Kristen Johnson, et al.
Citation: Health Promotion Practice, 24(1)
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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The Rural Food-Away-from-Home Landscape, 1990–2019
Examines the food-away-from-home (FAFH) landscape in nonmetropolitan counties between 1990 and 2019. Explores trends and differentiating features of FAFH access across the metropolitan divide and across the rural-urban continuum. Describes local economic conditions that are associated with more FAFH options.
Additional links: Report Summary
Author(s): Keenan Marchesi, Anne T. Byrne, Trey Malone
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Not Enough Food on the Dinner Table: A Look into Food Insecurity among Hispanics/Latinos Living in Rural Communities in the United States
Discusses food insecurity among Hispanics/Latinos in the U.S. and provides program and policy recommendations to improve food access. Reports on a 2022 needs assessment that includes a literature review, socio-demographic survey, focus group with rural Latino adults, and interviews with community-based organizations (CBOs). Offers strategies such as wellness and nutrition education, culturally sensitive engagement, and technology to improve access.
Author(s): Melawhy Garcia, Natalia Gatdula, Vanessa Torres, et al.
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Center for Latino Community Health Evaluation and Leadership Training, UnidosUS
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A Disaggregated View of Market Concentration in the Food Retail Industry
Examines changes in food retailing market concentration at the national, state, Metropolitan Statistical Area, and county levels in the United States from 1990-2019, using data from the National Establishment Time Series dataset. Features statistics with breakdowns by metro, large nonmetro, small nonmetro, and rural areas.
Author(s): Eliana Zeballos, Xiao Dong, Ergys Islamaj
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Nebraska's Eligibility Decision
Details the benefits and eligibility requirements of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Offers statistics and demographics on households participating in Nebraska's SNAP. Highlights the effect inflation and the higher cost of food has on low-income populations. Makes recommendations for policymakers to consider when evaluating eligibility limits that affect the availability of food and safeguard against hunger for low-income households.
Author(s): Derrik Conard
Date: 01/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
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No Kid Hungry 2023 Summer Meals Outreach Toolkit
A toolkit that provides sample communications in both English and Spanish for social media, flyers, postcards, and more to spread awareness about summer meal programs. Includes information on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) implementation guidance for non-congregate meal service in rural areas.
Date: 2023
Type: Website
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Food Insecurity in the Rural United States: An Examination of Struggles and Coping Mechanisms to Feed a Family among Households with a Low-Income
Analyzes the barriers and strategies of low-income rural families around food insecurity. Reports on interviews with 153 primary grocery shoppers about their experiences related to affordability and adequacy of meals, difficulty in obtaining food and managing household food needs, and more. Includes demographic information about participants as well as selected quotes relating to their food insecurity experiences.
Author(s): Carmen Byker Shanks, Lauri Andress, Annie Hardison-Moody, et al.
Citation: Nutrients, 14(24), 5250
Date: 12/2022
Type: Document
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Trends in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Rates: Fiscal Year 2016 to Fiscal Year 2020
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
Date: 12/2022
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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QuickStats: Percentage of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Living in Families That Were Food-Insecure in the Past 30 Days, by Family Income and Urbanicity — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2021
Bar chart showing the percent of adults in food insecure families overall, in urban areas, and in rural areas, with breakdowns by income level for those under the federal poverty level (FPL), between 100-199% of the FPL, and 200% or more of the FPL.
Citation: MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report), 71(48), 1539
Date: 12/2022
Type: Chart/Graph
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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Supporting Rural Grocery Stores Across the North Central Region
Webinar recording describing 3 programs that work to support rural grocery stores as locations for food security as well as community and economic vitality. Discusses programming and strategies to support rural groceries. Transcript available below description.
Date: 11/2022
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
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Last Updated: 5/24/2024