The rapid expansion of urban systems in both area and population represents the most significant landuse/landcover change occurring in the world today. Urbanization is often accompanied by increasing environmental degradation. This degradation is related to stormwater runoff, air temperatures greater than surrounding rural areas, increased air and water pollution, losses of vegetated lands, and lack of access to sufficient and healthy foods in lower-income areas. Urban agriculture (UA), a practice long established in previous eras but neglected for many decades, can mediate such concerns by providing greenspaces to improve ecosystem services. Successful practice of UA requires recognition of interactions between social and environmental patterns. Neglect of these interactions leads to failure in spatially integrating social and environmental dimensions of the urban landscape, limiting the success of UA. This study investigates siting of UA within Roanoke, Virginia, a compact urban region characterized by social and environmental conditions that can be addressed by effective siting and practice of UA. This research takes a broader perspective than prior studies on UA and urban greenspaces. It proposes innovative applications of geospatial technologies for urban assessment. Studies on UA have typically focused on food insecurity, while studies on greenspaces focus on parks and tree canopy cover, without investigating interactions that promote synergies between these two efforts. Research over the past few years is now recognizing potential contributions for urban agriculture to alleviate environmental issues such as stormwater runoff, soil infertility, and the urban heat island effect. Little of this research has been devoted to the actual siting of urban agriculture to specifically alleviate both socio-economic and environmental issues. This research applies geospatial technologies to evaluate spatial patterns characterizing both environmental and socio-economic disparities within the City of Roanoke, Virginia. This approach has identified specific locations that are open and available for urban agriculture, and has appraised varying levels of socio-economic and environmental parameters. This research identified, at the census block group level, areas with varying levels of degradation. Thus, those locations in which a new urban agriculture greenspace can contribute to both socio-economic and environmental reparation. This research has identified spatial dimensions in which UA will assist in restoring ecosystem services to guide various food production activities. These results can be generalized to other urban locations and contribute to efficient use of urban land and space, improving the three pillars of worldwide sustainability – economic, environment, and social. / Ph. D.

Low-income and minority youth are disproportionately affected by low food access, low dietary quality, and high levels of obesity. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is designed specifically to assist limited resource youth and adult audiences to acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sound diets, and to contribute to their personal development and improvement of the overall family diet and nutritional well-being by using a peer-education model (USDA, 2012). To date, little published research exists on dietary patterns and food access among youth who participated in EFNEP. The specific research goals of this study were to: 1) explore baseline dietary and physical activity self-efficacy and behaviors of youth EFNEP participants and compare to national trends, 2) examine differences in self-efficacy and behaviors based on socio-demographic factors and food availability, and 3) determine the association between food availability and dietary behavior. This study consisted of conducting surveys with 1,864 low-income youth, ages 7 to 14 years old, across Virginia prior to participation in an obesity-prevention program. The survey consisted of a 55-item written pre, post-test instrument that had been previously tested for validity and reliability. Most participants reported availability across all food groups, with the exception of meat and beans (41.4%) and dessert (48.3%). Significantly less than half of participants reported not meeting dietary behavior thresholds for the following food groups: grains (27.0%); whole grain (19.7%); low-fat milk (31.5%); vegetables (18.2%); colored vegetables (15.3%); and baked foods (31.7%). Availability of meats and beans and fruits were higher among Latinos than non-Latinos. Younger participants reported a higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and screen time; however, the children had participated in physical activity. Participants who reported a higher availability of fruits and vegetables at home also participated in physical activities at least once a day. This study provided insight into the availability of food, as well as food consumption among low-income audiences across Virginia, based on youth EFNEP reporting. The results highlighted the importance of strategic interventions to improve the availability of nutritious foods and obesity prevention strategies to enhance self-efficacy and intake of nutritious foods among low-income youth. / Ph. D.

The International Potato Center (CIP) and Peruvian National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA) have invested a substantial amount of resources towards the development of improved potato varieties in Peru. These varieties are adaptable to the agro-ecologies of the Andes and have specific biotic and abiotic attributes. These efforts have led to the release of several prominent varieties including Canchan-INIA, Amarilis, Unica, Serranita and others. A 2013 household survey conducted by CIP was used to describe the diffusion of improved potato varieties in Peru. These data were also used to identify specific constraints to their adoption and dis-adoption. The assessment focused on a two-step adoption model, adoption and dis-adoption, by utilizing a Heckman Probit model to demonstrate two-steps of the adoption process. The Heckman Probit model was used to analyze variables affecting adoption and dis-adoption of improved varieties. Results suggest that adoption is region specific, time dependent, and in some cases relies on informal transmission methods. Risk to food insecurity and recurrent natural phenomena affect adoption and sometimes dis-adoption. Additionally, factors affecting a farmer's exposure to risk, such as information constraints and household head age, wealth, and social network were found to affect the adoption and dis-adoption of improved varieties. / Master of Science

Over half of U.S. adults, roughly 117 million individuals, suffer from at least one preventable chronic disease, such as obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Epidemiological studies suggest that fruit and vegetable intake may be protective against these diseases, yet it is estimated that less than one-quarter of the population meets current fruit and vegetable recommendations. Low consumption rates may be attributed to lower income, food insecurity, and poor access and availability to fruits and vegetables. As a result, access to affordable and nutritious foods and beverages, particularly in underserved communities, such as “food deserts,” has become a national priority. An emerging strategy to address this is prescription programs, whereby physicians provide prescriptions or vouchers for fruit and vegetables to clients to encourage increased consumption, implemented in the form of the Farmacy Garden, which was the result of collaboration between multiple agencies. For collaborative efforts to be able to implement and sustain their shared goals, partnering individuals, agencies, and organizations need to first have the capacity or the potential to build capacity as a ‘unit.’ The purpose of this study was to concretely examine different factors and domains within Matachi’s Capacity Building Framework related to the Farmacy Garden in order to replicate the program in other locations. This framework conceptualizes organizational capacity building as dependent (and interdependent) on three different domains - individual, organizational, and environment. The study utilized semi-structured, openended interviews to ascertain concrete factors of organizational capacity building present at each level among Farmacy Garden collaborative project stakeholders (n=7). Interviews with six stakeholders (85.7% response rate) ranged in length from thirty-two minutes to one hour and twenty minutes. Common themes were coded separately by two members of the research team, first for overall recurring themes and second, to reveal connections between themes. Relevant quotes were identified and any discrepancies between researchers were resolved. Common themes often crossed over different levels, such as time, beliefs, values, and attitudes and inter-organizational linkages/partnerships, attitudes, and relationships, highlighting the inter-dependence of various factors across domains of capacity building. In addition to identifying specific factors that were necessary for the creation and sustainability of the Farmacy Program, the analysis revealed the importance of a “shared belief and value system.” In other words, individuals and organizations “valorized” this project in different ways than more traditional programs and/or interventions. The findings of this study can help guide leadership in cultivating relationships and new benchmarks to ensure transparency in project goals, in addition to time and physical resources, as well as inform the organizational capacity research area within nutrition and food systems fields. / Master of Science

In 2016, 12.3% of households in the United States (U.S), or 15.6 million people, were food insecure during some part of the year. Food insecurity is more prevalent among households with children, and has been shown to have adverse effects on child development, aggressive behavior, psycho-social development, and academic performance. Nutrition assistance and education programs play critical roles in alleviating food insecurity. The Virginia 365 Project (VA365) was a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)-funded multi-level school- and home-based approach aimed at reducing food insecurity in low-income areas of Virginia through meal programs and nutrition education for parents through the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education Program (SNAP-Ed). Impacts of coordinated nutrition assistance programs for children have generally focused on food security or nutrition outcomes, not broader impacts on academic achievement, attendance, and aggressive behavior. This study examined the feasibility of using school-level surveillance data, collected in state longitudinal data systems, to detect changes in academic and behavioral outcomes, using the VA365 program as a case study. Relevant data indicators were identified and compared from the Virginia Longitudinal Data System and from the longitudinal data systems from other Mid-Atlantic region (MARO) SNAP-Ed states (n=9) to determine generalizability to other states for broader program impacts. Results provide a greater understanding of the potential for accessing existing school-level data to document the public value of school-based nutrition programs beyond improved food security and dietary intake to include academic achievement, discipline and attendance outcomes. / Master of Science

Objective: The aims of our present study were to develop a valid and reliable survey framed around the social cognitive theory, which would evaluate internal and external factors associated with food insecurity from the student's perspective, and to test the survey with a multi-state population. Design: The College Perspectives around Food Insecurity (CPFI) survey was developed through several revision and improvement steps using a mixed methods approach. In Phase 1 (2018-2019), data were translated into survey items and assigned to a theoretical concept (personal, behavioral, or environmental) in the social cognitive theory. In Phase 2 (2019-2020), content validity testing occurred through two rounds of expert reviews. In Phase 3 (2021), researchers conducted two rounds of cognitive interviews with college students to evaluate face validity. In Phase 4 (2022), the survey underwent stability and internal consistency reliability testing. Participants: Three expert reviewers evaluated the initial survey draft during Phase 2. Participants for Phases 3 and 4 were college students at least 18 years old. Analysis: Descriptive statistics (means and frequencies) were used for expert reviewer scores, timing data, and demographics. Researchers used test-retest and Cronbach's alpha to measure survey reliability. Results: The initial survey contained 143 items: 54 personal, 52 behavioral and 37 environmental. After several testing and revision steps the final survey contained 95 items: 40 personal, 26 behavioral, and 29 environmental. Test/retest reliability was 0.989 and Cronbach's alpha scores were 0.47 for personal, 0.39 for behavioral, and 0.74 for environmental. Mean length of time to complete the full survey was 16.38 min (SD=8.88 min). Conclusions and Implications: The CPFI survey can be used to better understand internal and external factors associated with food insecurity in college students which could inform interventions aimed at assisting this population.

Yes / The use of foodbanks has risen sharply in the UK; however, the epidemiology of UK food insecurity is undeveloped. This study contributes to the field by analysing socio-demographic risk factors for food insecurity in a female, ethnically diverse population. Methods Data from the Born in Bradford (BiB) cohort were matched with data on food insecurity from the nested BiB1000 study (N = 1280). Logistic regression was used to model food insecurity in relation to ethnicity and socio-demographic factors. Results Food insecurity, reported by 13.98% of the sample, was more likely among White British than Pakistani women (crude Odds Ratio (OR) 1.94, 95% CI: 1.37; 2.74, adjusted OR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.57; 3.59). In fully adjusted analyses, food insecurity was associated with a range of socio-economic measures, particularly the receipt of mean-tested benefits (adjusted OR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.41; 3.15) and perception of financial insecurity (adjusted OR 8.91, 95% CI: 4.14; 19.16 for finding it difficult/very difficult compared to living comfortably). Conclusions The finding that food insecurity prevalence may be higher than previously thought and that food insecurity is highly associated with socio-economic status, notably benefit receipt, is a cause for concern necessitating an urgent policy response.

Yes / This paper derives from a study of community food aid in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith city in the North of England. The paper begins to make sense of the diversity of types of food insecurity assistance, examines the potential exclusion of certain groups from receipt of food aid, and explores the relationship between food aid providers and the state. Faith-based food aid is common in the case study area, particularly among food bank provision to the most ‘destitute’ clients. While food aid is adopting service responsibilities previously borne by the state, this does not imply an extension of the ‘shadow state’. Rather, it appears reflective of a pre-welfare state system of food distribution, supported by religious institutions and individual/ business philanthropy, but adapted to be consistent with elements of the ‘Big Society’ narrative. Most faith-based providers are Christian. There is little Muslim provision of (or utilization of) food aid, despite the local demographic context. This raises concerns as to the unintentional exclusion of ethnic and religious groups which we discuss in the concluding sections. / CLAHRC

Yes / Foodbank use in the UK is rising but, despite high levels of poverty, Pakistani women are less likely to use foodbanks than white British women. This study aimed to understand the lived experience of food in the context of poverty amongst Pakistani and white British women in Bradford, including perspectives on food aid. Design: Sixteen Pakistani and white British women, recruited through community initiatives, participated in three focus groups (one interview was also held as a consequence of recruitment difficulties). Each group met for two hours aided by a moderator and professional interpreter. The transcripts were analysed thematically using a three-stage process. Findings: Women in low-income households employed dual strategies to reconcile caring responsibilities and financial obligations: the first sought to make ends meet within household income; the second looked to outside sources of support. There was a reported near absence of food insecurity amongst Pakistani women which could be attributed to support from social/familial networks; resource management within the household; and cultural and religious frameworks. A minority of participants and no Pakistani respondents accessed charitable food aid. There were three reasons for the non-use of food aid: it was not required because of resource management strategies within the household and assistance from familial/social networks; it was avoided out of shame; and knowledge about its existence was poor. Originality: This case study is the first examination of varying experiences of food insecurity amongst UK white British and Pakistani women. Whilst the sample size is small, it presents new evidence on perceptions of food insecurity amongst Pakistani households and on why households of varying ethnicities do not use food aid. / NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care Yorkshire and Humber (NIHR CLAHRC YH)(Grant number IS-CLA-0113-10020); IKnowFood Research Programme at the University of York (https://iknowfood.org/) which is funded through the Global Food Security’s “Resilience of the UK Food System Programme” with support from BBSRC, ESRC, NERC and Scottish Government.

Yes / This paper uses data from a city with a multi-ethnic, multi-faith population to better understand faith-based food aid. It aims to understand what constitutes faith-based responses to food insecurity; compare the prevalence and nature of faith-based food aid across different religions; and explore how community food aid meets the needs of a multi-ethnic, multi-faith population. Methodology The study involved two phases of primary research. In phase one, desk-based research and dialogue with stakeholders in local food security programmes was used to identify faith- based responses to food insecurity. Phase two consisted of 18 semi-structured interviews involving faith-based and secular charitable food aid organizations. Findings The paper illustrates the internal heterogeneity of faith-based food aid. Faith-based food aid is highly prevalent and the vast majority is Christian. Doctrine is a key motivation among Christian organizations for their provision of food. The fact that the clients at faith-based, particularly Christian, food aid did not reflect the local religious demographic is a cause for concern in light of the entry-barriers identified. This concern is heightened by the co-option of faith-based organizations by the state as part of the ‘Big Society’ agenda. Originality This is the first academic study in the UK to look at the faith-based arrangements of Christian and Muslim food aid providers, to set out what it means to provide faith-based food aid in the UK and to explore how faith-based food aid interacts with people of other religions and no religion.