Table 2.
“Go Zone” statements prioritized highest for research and policy development within each of the five domains based on respondent ratings
| Domain | Statement # | Statements | Research rating | Policy rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data and policy |
6 |
Food safety policies that are feasible for small farmers and business to implement, including those related to school meals and school gardens |
3.20 |
3.23 |
| 72 |
Economic development that supports the role of local food in community economic vitality |
3.02 |
3.15 |
|
| 80 |
Economic development that supports living wage jobs that improve the purchasing power of low-income rural residents |
2.85 |
3.32 |
|
| 55 |
Policymakers understanding the barriers to obtain healthy food in rural communities |
2.82 |
3.46 |
|
| 35 |
USDA procurement regulations prioritizing healthy food purchases |
2.69 |
3.33 |
|
| 64 |
Sustained coalition-building on Farm Bill policy between community food security, anti-hunger, rural development, public health, dietitians, etc. |
2.61 |
3.31 |
|
| 63 |
Farmers that wish to grow produce have equitable access to subsidies, crop insurance, agricultural loans, and technical assistance |
2.70 |
3.42 |
|
| Food and nutrition assistance |
42 |
Developing food access solutions that are particular to rural areas |
3.38 |
3.40 |
| 74 |
Accessibility of food assistance programs in rural areas |
2.77 |
3.10 |
|
| 71 |
Schools having access to fresh fruit and vegetable snacks |
2.64 |
3.42 |
|
| 24 |
Purchasing groups that link child care programs, schools and long-term care facilities to affordable foods |
2.69 |
2.90 |
|
| 60 |
Schools purchasing produce directly from farmers |
2.61 |
2.99 |
|
| 46 |
SNAP/EBT (food stamps), WIC and Seniors Farmers Market coupons are accepted at all forms of rural food retailers |
2.52 |
3.29 |
|
| 3 |
Benefit levels of WIC fruit and vegetable vouchers |
2.50 |
3.00 |
|
| 87 |
School nutrition programs offering culturally appropriate food choices |
2.48 |
2.90 |
|
| 61 |
Policymakers understanding the economic benefits of streamlining the SNAP benefits process and getting more SNAP benefits into rural areas |
2.48 |
2.93 |
|
| Consumer knowledge, attitudes and behaviors |
57 |
Young people having experiences with healthy eating, gardening and activity choices in schools and communities |
2.52 |
2.84 |
| 70 |
People understanding and believing that healthy food results in more than just health outcomes, including improved grades, and stronger businesses and workforces |
2.63 |
2.59 |
|
| 10 |
People knowing how to prepare low cost, healthy, farm-fresh foods safely |
2.43 |
2.59 |
|
| 78 |
Students having opportunities to learn about agriculture, science, technology, engineering, math, and food production |
2.16 |
2.44 |
|
| 37 |
Access to information and guidance about growing, preparing and securing healthy and affordable foods |
2.15 |
2.54 |
|
| Healthy food retail and availability |
20 |
Local and regional food systems that have the capacity to combine forces for increased purchasing, distribution and selling power |
3.24 |
3.14 |
| 31 |
Systems and options that bring foods directly to rural consumers |
3.08 |
3.09 |
|
| 8 |
Corner stores and small retail stores that sell sufficient and diverse healthy food options |
3.00 |
3.06 |
|
| 52 |
The location of markets, produce trucks, farm stands and food carts in accessible locations in town or “rural hubs” |
3.00 |
2.93 |
|
| 39 |
Diversity of food retail options in rural areas |
2.92 |
3.01 |
|
| 16 |
Cities and towns that support farmers markets and local foods by reducing logistical barriers to their promotion |
2.89 |
3.13 |
|
| 83 |
Infrastructure that allows for safe and economically feasible transport of goods to rural markets |
2.77 |
2.93 |
|
| 56 |
Access to reliable, affordable and efficient transportation that links families to supermarkets and affordable food outlets |
2.75 |
3.07 |
|
| 17 |
Rural areas with a sufficient number of affordable small markets and grocery stores |
2.72 |
3.25 |
|
| 38 |
Retail distributors carrying and delivering a variety of healthy food choices to rural areas |
2.66 |
2.94 |
|
| Food production | 82 |
Fruit and vegetable farm workers receiving fair wages and working conditions |
2.36 |
3.15 |
| 28 | Solutions that identify and build from rural community/family strengths | 2.77 | 2.78 |