Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food – Resources

Low-Income Areas With Low Supermarket Access Increased in Urban Areas, But Not in Rural Areas, Between 2010 and 2015
Reports on changes in the number of low-income and low-access (LILA) census tracts between 2010 and 2015 for rural and urban areas. Briefly describes changes to the low-access or low-income aspect for rural census tracts that became LILA tracts in 2015.
Author(s): Alana Rhone
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 04/2017
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Community Food Security Assessment Toolkit
Toolkit of standardized measurement tools for assessing various aspects of community food security.
Date: 07/2002
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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No Kid Hungry Averaged Eligibility Map
An interactive map that shows Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) site eligibility as well as areas designated as rural. Searchable by address.
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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SUN Meals To-Go (Non-Congregate Summer Meal Service)
Provides information on implementation requirements of non-congregate meal service (SUN Meals To-Go) in low-income, rural areas. Includes resources as well as policies on site caps, site proximity, parent and guardian pick-up, and more.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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State-Based Rural Grocery Policy Tracker
Tracks state legislation that impacts rural grocers and communities. Allows user to submit relevant legislation to the tracker.
Sponsoring organizations: Kansas State University, Rural Grocery Initiative
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Rural Summer Meal Coverage Tool
Provides information and maps related to rural summer meal coverage. Includes interactive data breakdowns according to state, county, rural eligibility, non-congregate options, program type, and enrollment requirements. Shows food program site name, sponsor name, and program type.
Additional links: Training Guide
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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FY25 Percentage of Children Eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals
A Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 interactive mapping tool that shows Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) free and reduced price (F/RP) eligibility for children aged 0-18 by Census block group.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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Non-Congregate Summer Meals
Provides an overview of the interim final rule allowing non-congregate summer meals in rural areas. Includes information on rural definitions, meal types and distribution, associated research on non-congregate meal offerings, implementation and outreach strategies, and additional resources and webinars.
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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Serving Traditional Indigenous Foods in Child Nutrition Programs
A website that compiles resources to assist child nutrition programs (CNP) in providing indigenous foods as reimbursable meals. Includes tip sheets, nutritional information, policy guidance, and more.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service
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Community Eligibility Program (CEP) Opportunity Finder
An interactive tool that allows users to search for school districts eligible for Community Eligibility Programs (CEPs) by state and federal identified student percentage (ISP).
Sponsoring organization: No Kid Hungry
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