AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF LANIE HAERTLING, for the Master of Science degree in Food & Nutrition, presented on December 9, 2013, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale TITLE: THE STUDY OF FOOD ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTHFULNESS OF DIET IN THE POPULATION ATTENDING THE GOOD FOOD: LOCAL PROGRAM IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Sara Long Roth Objective: Distinguish six attributes of the Good Food: Local program participants. Design: At the first class of each Good Food: Local course a survey was administered to all participants. Subjects and Setting: The study included participants age 18 or older who attended a Good Food: Local event during the months of June to September, 2013. Statistical Analysis: Statistical analyses used to analyze the data include: frequencies, Cross tabulations, Spearman Rank Test and Pearson's Correlation. Results: The population reported to consume more fruits and vegetables than the national average, live in close distance to a large grocery store, not be confined by cost when purchasing groceries and felt comfortable preparing meals from a recipe. The main barriers to purchasing local specialty crops are availability, convenience. and cost. Conclusions: Results of this study can be used in developing future curriculums for programs increasing familiarity with local specialty crops.