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A community food security movement has begun to address problems of hunger and food insecurity by utilizing a community-based approach. Although various models have been implemented, little empirical research has assessed how power operates within community-based food security initiatives. The purpose of this research was to determine how power influenced participation in decision-making, agenda setting, and the shaping of perceived needs within a community-based food security planning process, with particular reference to disenfranchised stakeholders. Power influenced participation in decision-making, agenda setting, and the shaping of perceived needs through managing 1) problem framing, 2) trust, 3) knowledge, and 4) consent. To overcome these mechanisms of power, practitioners need to address individual-, community-, and institutional-level barriers to participation in community-based food security planning processes. Practitioners and researchers can work with disenfranchised groups to determine which agents have the power to create desired changes by utilizing theory-based methods and strategies that focus on changing external determinants at multiple levels. (Contains 1 figure and 4 tables.)

Examines label use behavior among high school-aged adolescents (N=90) to uncover gender differences related to these behaviors. Results show that students were five times more likely to rely on front label/nutrition claims than nutrient labels. Females were more likely than males to use front label/nutrition claims. (RJM)

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of using citizen politics as a framework for empowering citizens to build a community food security agenda. Design: A critical perspective, case study design, and multiple qualitative methods were used. Participants/Setting: Forty-four participants were purposefully recruited to participate in a community-based planning process called a search conference (SC). Seven additional disenfranchised stakeholders who did not attend the SC were also recruited to participate. Phenomenon of Interest: To assess how power influenced agenda setting and to determine the extent to which disenfranchised stakeholders' most salient interests were incorporated into the final SC action agendas. Analysis: The constant comparison method, content analysis, and consensus were used to produce the final analysis. Results: Power influenced agenda setting by managing knowledge, problem framing, trust, and consent. Two of seven of disenfranchised stakeholders' most salient interests, including need for adequate food preparation skills and increased availability of locally produced foods, were incorporated into the final SC action agendas. Conclusions and Implications: Citizen politics can be used to build a community food security agenda on issues that are not at odds with stakeholders in positions of power. To bring about change on issues in which power differences between groups are substantial, additional theoretical frameworks and public policy-making models are needed. KEY WORDS: critical perspective, community food security, agenda setting, power

Community participation is believed to hold a number of benefits, including the incorporation of local knowledge in planning, generation of greater support for and sustainability of local actions and being consistent with democratic values. These claimed benefits were examined in upstate New York, where 3-d participatory planning events were convened in each of six communities, focusing on desired changes in the local food system. A variety of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to assess the following: 1) local values, interests and beliefs (viewpoints) related to food and the food system before and after the planning events; 2) fairness and effectiveness in agenda setting; and 3) implementation of actions during the 2 y following the events. Despite marked variation in viewpoints, participants readily agreed on desired changes in the local food system during the events and they considered the process to be a fair and positive experience. However, the action agendas, follow-up actions and changes in viewpoints after the events displayed systematic tendencies to deviate from revealed common interests or interests of disenfranchised participants. This reflected differences in the fairness and effectiveness of participation during and after the events, established agendas and preferences of local institutions and a variety of market and regulatory barriers. KEY WORDS: * community food security * public nutrition * democracy * devolution

The purpose of this study was to determine the multiple meanings of community food security among stakeholders with diverse interests and to assess the degree to which these stakeholders could find common ground around community food security during a participatory planning process called a search conference. The conceptual framework of citizen politics guided all aspects of the research design. In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 44 participants purposefully recruited to attend a 2 1/2-day search conference. Open-ended questionnaires were distributed to all participants during the search conference, and a document review was performed. Prior to the search conference, 4 community food secruity groups emerged: anti-hunger advocates (n=12), agricultural visionaries (n=12), food traditionalists (n=10), and agricultural entrepreneurs (n=8). Participants were able to find common ground around 6 community food security action agendas: distribution of surplus food, education, family and community va lues, food processing and marketing, legislative initiatives and action, and new agriculture. Other salient community food security issues emerged, but they were not included on any of the action agendas. Formal training in facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution, and how to influence the public policy-making process will enable dietetics professionals to effectively collaborate with community-based groups that have a stake in food security issues., According to The American Dietetic Association, aggressive action is needed to bring an end to domestic hunger and achieve food and nutrition security. Dietetics professionals can play a key role [...]

Biotechnology has been used for centuries, but it is only the newest form of biotechnology or 'genetic engineering' that has enabled scientists to transfer traits between different species. Potential benefits of biotechnology include increased crop and livestock productivity, enhanced nutrient availability and composition, and improved pest and disease control. However, there are also health and environmental risks, as well as social, economic, and ethical issues that need to be addressed. Professionals need more information on biotechnology in order to effectively educate consumers. Regulatory policy regarding genetically engineered foods is controversial and unresolved. Premarketing notification, testing, and labeling are needed to deal responsibly with biotechnology.

Biotechnology is not new; it has been used for centuries in food processing (eg, beer and wine making) but only recently has it gained media attention as a process to [...]

The purpose of this research is to describe the dissemination and subsequent implementation of the "Coordinated Approach to Child Health" (CATCH) Eat Smart School Nutrition Program in Texas using evaluation data from Year One of the dissemination survey. CATCH is a school-based health education study aimed at decreasing cardiovascular risk factors in children. It is designed to be a multi-component, multi-year coordinated school health program that includes classroom curriculum, a complementary family component, physical education (PE) curriculum, a school foodservice program and tobacco-free school policy recommendations. Results from this research illustrate that the majority of school foodservice personnel believe that it is important to encourage elementary school children to eat a diet low in fat and sodium. The results from this research indicate that the CATCH Eat Smart School Nutrition Program is being implemented in elementary schools where school foodservice personnel have been trained. Barriers to its implementation suggest that continued training and the involvement of other school staff, such as classroom teachers, coaches, school nurses, and counselors, need to be emphasized in future CATCH training sessions. Enhancement of the student, parent, and community components of the program may increase acceptance of foods lower in fat and sodium for school meals.