Nutrition Policy

June 25, 2024

The Pre-Survey Data Analysis of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Field to Family Produce Incentive Program in Ventura County, California

Ventura County (VC), California, is a demographically diverse community consisting of Hispanic/Latinx (44.66%), Asian (7.62%), Black/African American (2.07%), and American Indian/Alaskan Native (1.05%) residents. Despite agriculture being the principal economic driver for VC, limited access to sustainable and affordable sources of fresh fruits and vegetables remains a persistent barrier for low-income families to provide their…

Promoting Accessibility in WA SNAP-Ed Contract Funding for Tribal Organizations

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) is a federally funded grant program that provides nutrition education and promotes health for eligible individuals through supporting healthy food choices and physical activity in line with Dietary Guidelines for Americans and making policy, systems, and environmental changes. Washington state’s SNAP-Ed goals are developed based on a statewide needs…

King County Local Food Initiative 101: Improving Local Food Access in King County

This practicum engaged with local food systems research, specifically considering how the 2024 refresh of King County’s Local Food Initiative (LFI) is related to issues of racism, food security, food access, social determinants of health, and culturally appropriate foods. Relying on literature, documentation, and data review, the student – with support from Seattle-King County Public…

Provider-Based Needs Assessment for Lactation Support in Washington State

Washington state’s rate of breastfeeding exclusivity through six months consistently remains above the national average, but falls below the Healthy People 2030 objective of 42.4%, and additional barriers to lactation support exist for low-income nursing parents and families belonging to marginalized identities. In partnership with the Washington State Lactation Collaborative (WLC), this project aimed to…

June 7, 2024

Using the System for Observing Play and Recreation in Communities (SOPARC) to Assess Use of Local Parks in King County

There is a distinct lack of data regarding current park use in King County, WA, which complicates public health strategies to encourage physical activity among residents. Working with Public Health – Seattle & King County and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, this project piloted the…

Accessibility to WIC-Authorized Ethnic Food Stores in Washington State: Implications for Serving the Needs of Immigrant WIC-Eligible Populations

The Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is one of the federal nutrition assistance programs that safeguards food security among immigrant and refugee families. At least 20% of WIC participants in Washington state are of immigrant and refugee backgrounds, but the accessibility to culturally preferred foods through WIC-authorized stores is unknown. Utilizing…

June 5, 2024

Nutrition Policy and Food Service Guidelines Recommended for Adoption by Teen Feed

As a growing body of evidence demonstrates, food transcends beyond biological needs and interplays with behavioral, social, and mental concepts of whole-person health. Community-based organizations serving minoritized populations, like Seattle’s Teen Feed, are uniquely positioned to tailor nutritional programming to the needs of their client populations, informing nutrition practices and behaviors to support health across…

December 19, 2023

High Impact Obesity Prevention Standards (HIOPS) in Pennsylvania

Conducted qualitative research to identify the policy-to-practice implications of HIOPS implementation into early childhood education (ECE) licensing regulations in Pennsylvania. Presented findings to Keystone Kids Go, a state level workgroup of multisectoral ECE professionals. Community Partner: Keystone Kids Go

October 10, 2023

Assessing SNAP-Ed Materials Through Equity and Empowerment Rubric

SNAP-Ed (the educational arm of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) produces programming and educational materials to assist SNAP-Ed implementation agencies in presenting nutrition and lifestyle information in accessible formats to SNAP-eligible participants. The curricula used historically has revolved around modifying individual behavior and providing a narrow vision of a healthy diet. Efforts have been made…

August 14, 2023

Policies to End Hunger in Washington State: Campaign Development for the Anti-Hunger & Nutrition Coalition 2023 Legislative Priorities

The 2023 Washington state legislative session coincided with a landscape of unprecedently high rates of food insecurity and hunger that were anticipated to climb significantly given the complex impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and food supply chain. Ending hunger and improving food access in Washington requires a concerted effort among anti-hunger and…