Research

Research interests include: the study of the effects of malnutrition and specific nutrient deficiencies on children's cognitive development in low-income countries; the effects of poverty and food insecurity on Rhode Island families and children; and the study of participation and access to nutritional assistance programs. Program evaluation research examines the effectiveness of various aspects of the SNAP Outreach Project and selected SNAP policies.

Current research projects:

Family food behaviors, food security and child overweight

Dr. Karen McCurdy, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, and Dr. Kathleen Gorman, Director, Feinstein Hunger Center, were recently awarded a 2 year grant (NIH RO3) to examine the relationship between maternal depression, family food behaviors and child food security and overweight among low-income households in RI. The project examines how families with limited resources access and provide food for their families and the impact that limited resources and parental stress may have on child outcomes. For more information about this project, contact Karen McCurdy at kmccurdy@uri.edu.

Food Security, Hunger and Food Stamp Participation among Low-Income Working Families in Rhode Island

Kathleen S. Gorman, PhD, Kelly D. Horton, MS, & Robert F. Houser, PhD

Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition, Vol. 1 (2006) 105-125.

Recent research projects include:

Acculturation, hunger and child-well being among low-income Hispanic households. Karli Kondo, Elizabeth T. Kiniorski, Kathleen S. Gorman.

Assessing Obstacles to Food Stamp Recertification: What Prevents Hunger Prevention? Lauren Cerrito, Lauren Garrity, Justin Weitzen, Michael Woodmansee, Psychology Undergraduate Research.

Making Ends Meet - a qualitative study of low-income women's experiences in trying to feed themselves and their families. Prepared by Karli Kondo, Doctoral student in Psychology, GRA to the Partnership on Food, Hunger and Nutrition.

Breakfast Preferences- a study of families utilizing the Jonnycake Center of Peace Dale's food pantry to determine children's breakfast preference and need.

Examples of previous research projects:

RI Poll on Hunger Awareness (April 2000, Results Fall 2000)
With America's Second Harvest - National Poll on Hunger Awareness (Fall 2000)
With the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences - research on Food Stamp Participation and Education (Fall-Spring 2001)
With the RI Health Department - Food Security Assessment (Spring 2001)
With the RI Community Food Bank - Faces and Facts of Hunger (Spring 2001)

have you heard about snap?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is the new name for the Food Stamp Program.

Learn more about the SNAP Outreach Project or to access a benefits application:

www.eatbettertoday.com

Have you heard about snap?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program is the new name for the Food Stamp Program.

Learn more about the SNAP Outreach Project or to access a benefits application:

www.eatbettertoday.com

What's new at the hunger center

The Restaurant Meals Program comes to Rhode Island

Now there is a way for homeless, elderly, and disabled SNAP recipients to buy hot, prepared meals. The Restaurant Meals Program uses the same SNAP benefits and EBT cards to allow certain low-income individuals to buy low-cost meals at participating locations. Eligible individuals are the homeless, elderly, and disabled who may not have access to food storage or preparation.

For more information about the Restaurant Meals Program, visit www.snaprmp.org.

For more information about the Restaurant Meals Program in RI, visit www.eatbettertoday.com