Browsing by Author "Byker Shanks, Carmen"
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- The benefits, challenges, and strategies of adults following a local food dietByker Shanks, Carmen; Rose, Nick; Serrano, Elena L. (2010)Supported in part by a variety of popular books, websites, and other media, the interest in local food is building dramatically, and a growing number of people are increasing their purchases of local food. This paper describes a study that explored the perceived benefits and challenges of following a diet consisting exclusively of local food in southwestern Virginia, as well as the strategies for coping with its limitations. Nineteen individuals participated in a four-week Local Food Diet Challenge, which included eating only foods produced from within 100 miles of the participants' homes. Part of a larger study looking at the nutritional impacts of a local food diet, this study included a pre-diet questionnaire that gathered participants' demographic characteristics, shopping patterns, eating behaviors, and attitudes toward local foods; consumption-reporting forms during the diet period; and a post-diet focus-group discussion for participants to share their experiences in following the local food diet. In this paper we report the major themes that emerged in the focus groups and offer recommendations for locavores and organizations attempting to maximize local food consumption.
- Dietary Research within the Context of a Community-Based Food SystemByker Shanks, Carmen (Virginia Tech, 2011-07-14)In an effort to begin filling a gap in the scientific literature about community-based food systems and promote food environment changes to increase dietary quality, this dissertation focuses on community-based food systems research with two different populations: Head Start families in southwest Virginia and Heifer International Alternative Spring Break (ASB) college student participants at Virginia Tech. Fresh Produce, Fresh Start (FPFS) tested the effectiveness of a local, fresh fruit and vegetable delivery program on dietary intake and purchasing patterns of Head Start families. FPFS utilized a one-group double pre-test post-test was conduced on two occasions at each of the two sites. Measures collected included: food-use questionnaire, height and weight, food security questionnaire, 24-hour recall, program process evaluation, and food receipts. Fifty-one of 67 (76%) of eligible participants were recruited. For dietary recalls completed (n = 29, 57%), significant increases were found in intake of vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, vegetable, and fruit and vegetable (FV) servings combined, based upon paired t-tests (p <.05). Based on receipt data (n = 22, 43%), the proportion of fresh produce purchases significantly increased for both number of items and monetary costs, based upon a Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test (p < .05). A second study was conducted to examine the impacts of the Heifer Alternative Spring Break (ASB) programs on Virginia Tech student's attitudes, motivations, diet, and behaviors regarding community-based food systems before and after a one-week intensive program. The design was quasi-experimental, using a one-group pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. Participants completed questionnaires, dietary recalls, and journals. Forty-three of 43 (100%) of eligible participants enrolled in the study. Although increases in local and organic foods were observed, there were no significant changes in dietary quality. The intervention showed significant increases in local and organic food consumption for individuals that consumed less than 50% of their calories from local and organic foods at baseline based upon a paired t-test (p < .05). The findings from these studies offer evidence of the capacity for community-based food systems to change dietary patterns, across different populations.
- Factors affecting farmers' willingness and ability to adopt and retain vitamin A-rich varieties of orange-fleshed sweet potato in MozambiqueJenkins, Mica; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Brouwer, Roland; Houghtaling, Bailey (2018-12)The addition of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) to the food environment is an effective nutrition-sensitive agricultural approach to improve vitamin A intakes. However, the adoption of this biofortified crop merits further study. The objective of our research was to understand factors that affect Mozambican farmers' adoption and retention of OFSP varieties, with a specific interest in the retention of planting material. Field research was conducted in three provinces of Mozambique during 2015. Provinces with different OFSP intervention histories were selected to allow for the identification of site-specific factors and the impact of variable approaches over time. Qualitative inquiry was used to assess participants' progress through the five stages of the Innovation-Decision process in the Diffusion of Innovations Theory. Ninety-five producers, consumers, and market stakeholders of OFSP participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus groups. Results indicate that diverse factors influenced the adoption and retention of OFSP, including organoleptic qualities, taste preferences, access to planting material, agronomic traits, environmental conditions, lack of capital for inputs and labor, unstable markets, and limited sharing of information and planting material across farmer networks. Current OFSP varieties were acceptable to Mozambican farmers and consumers, but there are several remaining challenges to reaching a critical mass such as lack of access to planting material, perceptions of superior drought tolerance of white-fleshed sweet potato (WFSP), and the belief that OFSP requires additional effort to cultivate (e.g. weed removal, measuring space between plants). Key recommendations which may be considered in future planning for OFSP interventions in Mozambique and other countries include enabling decentralized vine multipliers to provide vines to community members at no cost, continued focus on breeding and distribution of more drought tolerant varieties of OFSP, and training on the similarities in agronomic practices required for producing and preserving OFSP and WFSP.
- Food Waste in the National School Lunch Program 1978-2015: A Systematic ReviewByker Shanks, Carmen; Banna, Jinan; Serrano, Elena L. (2017-11)Background Food waste studies have been used for more than 40 years to assess nutrient intake, dietary quality, menu performance, food acceptability, cost, and effectiveness of nutrition education in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Objective Describe methods used to measure food waste and respective results in the NSLP across time. Methods A systematic review using PubMed, Science Direct, Informaworld, and Institute of Scientific Information Web of Knowledge was conducted using the following search terms: waste, school lunch, plate waste, food waste, kitchen, half method, quarter method, weight, and photography. Studies published through June 2015 were included. The systematic review followed preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses recommendations. Results The final review included 53 articles. Food waste methodologies included inperson visual estimation (n = 11), digital photography (n = 11), direct weighing (n = 23), and a combination of in-person visual estimation, digital photography, and/or direct weighing (n = 8). A majority of studies used a preepost intervention or cross-sectional design. Fruits and vegetables were the most researched dietary component on the lunch tray and yielded the greatest amount of waste across studies. Conclusions Food waste is commonly assessed in the NSLP, but the methods are diverse and reporting metrics are variable. Future research should focus on establishing more uniform metrics to measure and report on food waste in the NSLP. Consistent food waste measurement methods will allow for better comparisons between studies. Such measures may facilitate better decision making about NSLP practices, programs, and policies that influence student consumption patterns across settings and interventions.
- How the G20 leaders could transform nutrition by updating and harmonizing food-based dietary guidelinesKraak, Vivica; Consavage Stanley, Katherine; Patiño, Sofia Rincón-Gallardo; Houghtaling, Bailey; Byker Shanks, Carmen (UN Food and Agriculture Organization, 2022-11-22)The G20 is an intergovernmental and multilateral platform comprised of 19 countries and the European Union, which connects prosperous high-income and emerging middle-income countries worldwide. The G20 process could prioritize food systems to address climate change challenges. For this paper, the research team reviewed the G20 countries’ recommendations in national food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) for red and processed meat (RPM) compared with available per capita consumption data and expert-recommended targets to promote healthy and sustainable food systems. The results reveal that Indonesia, India and Saudi Arabia have the least red meat available for consumption (less than 10 kilograms (kg) per person per year). Other G20 countries exceed the recommended red meat target of less than or equal to 26 kg per person per year. Sixteen G20 countries have translated their national guidelines into FBDG food graphics for the public. Twelve G20 countries recommend that people limit their RPM daily or weekly to reduce cancer and heart disease risks. Australia, France, Italy, Mexico and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland align RPM targets with recommendations to limit cooked red meat intake to three or fewer servings (350-500 grams) a week. Six G20 countries (Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Italy and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) recommend minimally processed, plant-rich food choices or environmentally sustainable dietary patterns. The G20 meetings in Indonesia (2022), India (2023) and Brazil (2024) should prioritize and harmonize healthy and sustainable food system policies with international trade policies to mitigate climate change effects and manage sustainability trade-offs.
- An integrative literature review of small food store research across urban and rural communities in the U.S.Pinard, Courtney A.; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Harden, Samantha M.; Yaroch, Amy L. (Elsevier, 2016-04-02)Objective. The purpose of this review was to identify how rural and urban food access differs across small food stores as well as the types of research strategies andmethodologies that have been applied in each setting in the U.S. Methods. Manuscripts were included in the review if they were published in English over the past ten years, with a clear delineation between urban and/or rural, conducted in the U.S., and reported data from small food store research. Results. After elimination, 19 manuscripts representing rural (n=5) and urban (n=14) settingswere included in the final review. The review was conducted in Nebraska between January 2015 and May 2015. Findings from the reviewed manuscripts revealed that rural communities might face different challenges with healthy food access in small food stores when compared to urban settings. In particular, small food stores in rural areas lacked healthy food options largely because storeowners perceived that their customers would not purchase healthier items and due to challenges with distribution. Conversely, studies reporting on small food stores in urban areas suggest challenges with transportation and safety concerns. Conclusion. Research on small food stores is nascent and further research, especially intervention studies, is needed. Further, less evidence exists on healthy food access, in particular intervention testing on small food store research in rural areas.
- Internationalizing sustainable agriculture educationSchroeder-Moreno, Michelle S.; Clark, Susan F.; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Zhao, Xin (2012)Integration of international learning experiences into sustainable agriculture (SA) educational programs represents a unique and effective approach to help students improve their global awareness and citizenship, intercultural communication, problem-solving skills, and career development. While there are challenges to establishing international educational activities in emerging SA programs, the benefits of providing students with a global perspective to the worlds' food systems far exceed those challenges. This paper formalizes key considerations and diverse approaches for developing student-centered international educational opportunities for sustainable agriculture that have been assembled from literature research and from the collective experiences of the authors. A holistic approach is described, beginning with developing strong international partnerships built on reciprocity and understanding the diversity of international learning opportunities and development considerations; establishing learning outcomes and assessment; and appreciating current opportunities and challenges. While many of the experiences and examples come from land-grant universities (LGUs), enhancing a global perspective to all types of SA programs at various institutions is vital for preparing future food system leaders to advance sustainable agriculture in the global community. The information in this paper is valuable for SA educators interested in developing new international educational opportunities and also may stimulate further communication about shared pedagogical strategies related to international SA education.
- Sustainable agriculture education and civic engagement: The significance of community-university partnerships in the new agricultural paradigmNiewolny, Kimberly L.; Grossman, Julie M.; Byker Shanks, Carmen; Helms, Jennifer L.; Clark, Susan F.; Cotton, Julie A.; Jacobsen, Krista L. (2012)Universities and colleges across the United States are making innovative strides in higher education programming to catalyze a more sustainable era of agriculture. This is clearly exemplified through the formation of community-university partnerships as critical illustrations of civic engagement (CE) for sustainable agriculture (SA) education. This paper explores the praxis of CE for SA education by focusing on the ways in which five land-grant universities (LGUs) with undergraduate programs in SA have developed and put into practice community-university partnerships. Drawing upon these programs and supportive literature, this article specifically attempts to describe the role and significance of CE for SA education, emerging community-university partnership models and their implications for prompting food and agriculture sustainability, and student learning and program assessment outcomes. We also reveal the many challenges and opportunities encountered by stakeholders involved in the creation and continuation of these programs and their subsequent coursework. Conclusions offer "real world" recommendations for other faculty, staff, student, and community stakeholders to implement and generate action-oriented scholarship for and with communities as a viable thread of SA education.