Food Access

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Projects

• Washington State Food System Assessment

  To respond to sustained high rates of food insecurity, food supply chain disruptions, and disproportionate impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of Washington via the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has asked the University of Washington to conduct an assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks affecting Washington’s food system, with...

  Project Lead/PI: Jennifer Otten

  Research Area(s): Food Access, Food Systems & Nutrition

• Assessing the Impact and Feasibility of WIC Remote Services and Expanded Food Options

  The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated barriers to participation in the WIC program, since people were encouraged or required to stay home and grocery stores experienced shortages of food items. Washington State’s WIC program has been actively re-tooling service delivery prior to and at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic to overcome participation barriers. This project...

  Project Lead/PI: Jennifer Otten

  Research Area(s): Food Access

• Traditional Foods, Food Sovereignty, and Food Security Among Pacific Northwest Tribal Communities During and After COVID-19

  The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected Native communities and their main sources of economic support. Tribal reservations saw higher infection rates compared to neighboring areas, and the closure of gaming and hospitality businesses removed vital economic lifelines. Many Native communities continue to struggle in meeting basic food needs, especially in deprived and geographically remote areas of...

  Project Lead/PI: Jennifer Otten

  Research Area(s): Food Access

• WAFOOD: Examining the Impacts of COVID-19 and related factors on Food Systems, Food Security, and Food Access in Washington State

  The latest WAFOOD 5 survey is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. The WAFOOD 5 survey is the latest iteration of the Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD) project, which aims to monitor the health, food security, food access, and economic wellbeing of Washingtonians, and to help identify areas of need.  Questions may...

  Project Lead/PI: Jennifer Otten Adam Drewnowski

  Research Area(s): Food Access, Food Systems & Nutrition

• City of Seattle Food Access Spending Farm Economy Analysis

  This project measures the economic impact of City of Seattle spending on food access programs on local farmers, and on the local farm economy. The purpose of this report is to measure the economic impact of City of Seattle spending on food access programs on local farmers, and on the local farm economy. This analysis...

  Research Area(s): Food Access

• Fish, health, and vulnerable populations: Exploring the Potential for Policy and Diet Solutions

  On the US West Coast, rich and underutilized fishery resources exist alongside low income, nutritionally vulnerable populations. This pilot project aimed to examine the potential scope and mechanisms for improved utilization of available seafood to improve diets and reduce incidence of non-communicable disease burdens in poor and marginalized US coastal communities. It had the following...

  Project Lead/PI: Jennifer Otten

  Research Area(s): Food Access, Food Systems & Nutrition, Global Nutrition, Social Determinants of Health

• Evaluation Support for Washington State’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) initiative in Farmers Markets

  One barrier to healthy eating for people with low incomes can be the cost of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. The Washington State Department of Health has implemented a statewide large-scale Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) initiative since 2015 to make it easier for low-income participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to...

  Project Lead/PI: Donna B. Johnson Jennifer Otten

  Research Area(s): Food & Nutrition Policy, Food Access

Recently Added Resources

• NW Tribal Food Sovereignty Survey Report – Food Security, Food Access, and Traditional Foods across Northwest Tribal Communities in the Wake of COVID-19

  Published June 24, 2024, this report shares findings from the NW Tribal Food Sovereignty Survey, the second wave research from a joint project between the Northwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (NWTEC), a division of the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, and the University of Washington Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health team that aims to better...

  Research Area(s): Food Access, Food Systems & Nutrition, Social Determinants of Health

• WAFOOD Brief 15 – Washington State Food Security Surveys: Longitudinal findings across survey waves 1-4, 2020-2023

  Published August 3, 2023, this research brief presents longitudinal findings from WAFOOD Waves 1-4 (June 2020-January 2023), focusing on a subset of 223 respondents who participated in all four waves.  Initial Findings In a longitudinal cohort of 223 respondents who participated in WAFOOD Waves 1, 2, 3, and 4, nearly half of respondents’ households experienced...

  Research Area(s): Food Access, Food Systems & Nutrition

• WAFOOD Brief 14 – Washington State Food Security Surveys: Cross-sectional findings from survey waves 1-4, 2020-2023

  Published August 3, 2023, this research brief presents cross-sectional findings from WAFOOD Waves 1-4 (June 2020 – January 2023), with data from the full sample of respondents in each wave. Because the majority of respondents in each wave were new, this brief does not draw conclusions on changes over time. Published July 13, 2023, this...

  Research Area(s): Food Access, Food Systems & Nutrition