Food insecurity continues to be a challenge, with 21.3% of the population of Texas reported to have been food insecure from 2020-2022, higher than food insecurity across the US (15.5%) over the same time period. Food insecure communities with low food access exist in both urban and rural communities. While urban food deserts have been studied extensively in the literature, there is a paucity of research to characterize and identify unique needs of communities with low food access in rural settings.

Our research in this area seeks to characterize the microbial quality (and therefore potential safety) as well as the nutritional quality, of food available to low income rural residents in Texas. We will compare this to what is available to Texans living in urban areas of low income, low food access. This unique study design will provide data regarding food access research at the intersection of Race/Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Geographical location. Only by better understanding challenges unique to different populations can we identify appropriate interventions and solutions.