ERS Calendar of Releases

Poor diets are associated with increases in obesity and chronic diseases, raising public concern that some areas, particularly low-income and rural communities, have become food deserts—areas with limited access to affordable and nutritious foods. This led Congress, in the 2008 Farm Bill, to request that the Department of Agriculture conduct a study of these areas. ERS will kick off this study by hosting a workshop on October 9, 2008 in Washington, DC. The Access to Affordable and Nutritious Food: Understanding Food Deserts workshop will bring together key stakeholders from program, policy, research, and advocacy communities to discuss how to conceptualize and measure food deserts, implications of food deserts for public health and food assistance programs, and programs and policies to help mitigate the impact of food deserts. A preliminary agenda is available. Attendance is free but registration is required due to limited space, so please register early.