Date of Graduation

5-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness

Advisor/Mentor

Whitehead, Isabel

Committee Member

Nalley, Lawton L.

Second Committee Member

Buckley, Nancy

Abstract

Food insecurity refers to the uncertainty of having or acquiring enough food to sustain all members of a household. In 2019, 10.5% of households in the United States reported being food insecure. Of that number, 4.1% of households reported ‘very low food security,” meaning that there were additional periods of time in which one or more household members restricted or forfeited their food intake due to lack of money or other resources (USDA, 2020). Without access to proper nutrition, the health of both adults and children are put at risk for illness including anxiety, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other negative health effects (Feeding America, 2020). Households who meet eligibility standards may enroll in food assistance programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Although these resources are available, a gap exists between the number of eligible individuals versus the number of individuals who are enrolled. Additionally, those who are enrolled tend to express dissatisfaction with the educational resources available to them. This study aims to identify this gap as well as develop a plan to overcome it.

Keywords

Food Insecurity; SNAP; WIC; Communications; Northwest Arkansas; Arkansas

Additional Files
Meal_Plan_Calendar.png (130 kB)
Meal Plan Calendar File
Recipe_Cards.zip (5128 kB)
Recipe Cards with Back Page
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