Rural Hunger and Access to Healthy Food – Resources

The Differences in Characteristics Among Households With and Without Obese Children: Findings From USDA's FoodAPS
Examines characteristics of households with at least one obese child and without any obese children. Table 2 compares rural and urban household financial well-being, as it relates to obesity. Table 3 examines the food environment for rural households with and without obese children.
Author(s): Young Jo
Date: 09/2017
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Understanding the Prevalence, Severity, and Distribution of Food Insecurity in the United States
Reports on food insecurity in 2016, including data on nonmetropolitan households that have low food security and very low food security.
Author(s): Matthew P. Rabbitt, Alisha Coleman-Jensen, Christian A. Gregory
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 09/2017
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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The Food-Spending Patterns of Households Participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: Findings From USDA's FoodAPS
Reports on food spending in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households, eligible nonparticipant households, and other U.S. households. Includes data specific to households in rural areas.
Author(s): Laura Tiehen, Constance Newman, John A. Kirlin
Date: 08/2017
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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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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Who Experiences Very Low Food Security?
Bar chart showing characteristics of households experiencing very low food security, which may include cutting back on or skipping meals or going a whole day without eating. Includes data comparing city, suburban, and nonmetropolitan areas. Based on 2015 Current Population Survey data.
Date: 03/2017
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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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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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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