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How a key nutritional program adapted to the pandemic
December 1, 2021
As the COVID-19 pandemic created economic hardship and food insecurity for many families, a key governmental program for nutritional support pivoted to offer remote services and more flexible food options. As a result, participation and satisfaction with the program grew, according to findings from a new study by University of Washington researchers and the program,...
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New website highlights food systems experts and educational opportunities across UW
October 28, 2021
A new Food Systems at UW website has been launched to provide a central resource hub of people, organizations, and educational opportunities related to food systems at UW. The website was initiated by the UW Food Systems Education and Research Network, and this network aims to: Bring together UW experts from multiple disciplines to address...
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WAFOOD food security survey now open to WA residents
July 15, 2021
A third wave of the WAFOOD Survey is now active, and asks all Washington State residents over the age of 18 to provide information on their household food access, economic security, and emotional well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier findings gathered in June and July 2020, found that 30% of WA households were food insecure,...
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For many King County families, food aid ‘not nearly enough’ as need spikes in pandemic
June 27, 2021 | The Seattle Times
Food bank staff and public health officials predict it will take households several years to recover from food insecurity made worse by the economic instability of the pandemic. Ongoing research led by the UW Center for Public Health Nutrition in partnership with Washington State University and Tacoma Community College is highlighted.
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Reliance on food assistance programs on the rise in Washington State
May 11, 2021
Food insecurity remains high and disparities persist among Washington State households, while reliance on food assistance programs across the state have risen over the past six months, according to new data published by the University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition. The latest report from the WAFOOD research team compares data from two surveys,...
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How farms and ranches in Washington have been impacted by COVID-19
March 31, 2021
Nearly 60% of farms and ranches in Washington State have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 in 2020, and expect to make changes to adapt their businesses in 2021, according to a new report published by the University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition in collaboration with Washington State University and the Washington State Department...
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You waste more than $1,000 of food a year. Chew on that
March 23, 2021 | Los Angeles Times
Marie Spiker speaks with the Los Angeles Times about global food waste and new data published in the Food Waste Index for 2021 by the UN Environment Programme which assesses that the world wastes 1 billion tons of food each year.
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How the UW food pantry has adapted to rising food insecurity in the state
February 16, 2021 | The Daily
The Daily highlights how the UW Food Pantry is adapting to address food insecurity, and what UW Nutritional Sciences Program researchers involved in the WAFOOD survey have assessed thus far about state-wide food insecurity trends during the pandemic.
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Michelle Obama is continuing her mission with a Netflix children’s show, ‘Waffles + Mochi’
February 9, 2021 | Upworthy
Former first lady Michelle Obama to expand the work she started with her “Let’s Move” campaign which helps kids eat better and live healthy lives. A UW study published this year in JAMA by Nutritional Sciences Program researchers is noted. The study authors include senior study author Jessica Jones-Smith, Kelsey Kinderknecht, and Cristen Harris. The researchers found evidence that the 2010 Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that Obama championed had a positive impact for students who participated.
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WAFOOD survey receives support from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation
January 26, 2021
Among the several non-profit organizations and programs receiving recent emergency funding from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, the University of Washington Foundation has received a gift in support of the WAFOOD food insecurity survey. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation has to date provided $12 million in emergency funding to provide relief to the...
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