Category Archives: food availability

the Economist writes about obesity

Posted on December 17, 2012 by admin

The Dec 15, 2012 issue of The Economist is devoted to obesity. Two of the articles on obesity are relevant to what’s on my mind today: one discussing policy approaches to obesity and the other with background information. The article … Continue reading →

Posted in food availability, food choices, food policy | Leave a comment

double value coupons: do they work?

Posted on September 25, 2012 by admin

On the ground efforts to increase food access take many forms, but all aim to change the food environment for low income households. One of the most noteworthy is a short term “incentive” provided to households receiving federal nutrition benefits … Continue reading →

Posted in double value coupons, farmers markets, food availability, NYC, public health, wholesome wave | 1 Comment

Philabundance

Posted on September 18, 2012 by admin

On Thursday morning (9/13), I attended the Philabundance Hunger Symposium. The event was inspiring – the on the ground movement to feed hungry people in Philadelphia is tremendous. The activists partner with businesses (think Bank of America, Vanguard, Target, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cities, food availability, food system, Philadelphia, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

farmers markets in Manhattan

Posted on July 6, 2012 by admin

This summer, I’m continuing my quest to understand the food environment in Manhattan, NY.  Two food studies students – Siobhan Wallace and Leanne Brown – are working with me to catalog the availability of food (including prices) in the farmers … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, farmers markets, food availability, Manhattan NY, NYC | 2 Comments

more on the relative costs of healthy/unhealthy food – wonkish

Posted on May 21, 2012 by admin

I’ve had a chance to read the recent Economic Research Service report called “Are Healthy Foods Really More Expensive?”, written by Carlson and Frazao. The main finding of the research is that whether healthy foods are more expensive depends on … Continue reading →

Posted in cost of food, food availability, food choices, nutrition and health | Leave a comment

is healthy food really more expensive? (wonkish)

Posted on May 16, 2012 by admin

Whew. Another semester is just about over (only 20 more papers to read!). But I am back! The Economic Research Service plans to release a report (later today, I think) on how to measure prices of healthy food, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in food availability, food choices, food deserts | Leave a comment

hearings on healthy food initiatives, local production, and nutrition

Posted on March 27, 2012 by admin

Congressional hearings provide a fascinating insight into how different groups are thinking about specific issues.  The testimonies are usually interesting examples that present specific stakeholder viewpoints.  For this reason, I read hearings whenever possible. The recent hearings on healthy food … Continue reading →

Posted in food availability, food deserts | 2 Comments

food stamp policy

Posted on January 31, 2012 by admin

One of my students (thanks Megan Moore!) sent me the link to this article, which discusses a bill currently in the Florida legislature that seeks to curb the ability of households to use their SNAP (or food stamp) benefits for … Continue reading →

Posted in food availability, food choices, public health, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

one meal at a time?

Posted on December 21, 2011 by admin

I tend to do things on a grand scale: my life goals include not merely viewing the Grand Canyon, but hiking from the north rim to the south rim. My “think big” perspective drives nearly all of my behavior. This … Continue reading →

Posted in food availability, Food studies, small farms, sustainable agriculture | Leave a comment

first thoughts on policy levers to change the food system

Posted on December 2, 2011 by admin

My students created a long list of policies they would like to see implemented, with the goal of encouraging a shift in the food system. A dominant theme was related to changing farm policy, through a mix of “carrots and … Continue reading →

Posted in food availability, food policy, small farms, sustainable agriculture | Leave a comment