How to Make Healthy Food Affordable and Accessible — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
A clear description of the methods used to achieve the purpose or goals for the work.
A statement of the conclusions, results, outcomes, or recommendations, or if the work is still in progress, the results you expect to report at the event.

Presenter photographs should be head and shoulder shots comparable to passport photos.

Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

How to Make Healthy Food Affordable and Accessible

Name: Brittany Eggert
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Cambridge, WI
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis

Abstract

The recent increase in the demand for healthy foods is widespread. America needs solutions which make healthy food more accessible and affordable.

Fast food and other unhealthy options are consistently cheaper than healthy food, such as a salad. At McDonald’s, the number one fast food chain in the world, a Double Cheeseburger costs $1.29, while a Southwest salad costs $4.79. I explore whether government involvement through subsidies, an incentive program, and/or education can assist in making healthy food more affordable and accessible.

Secondary data from the internet provided an excellent source for new initiatives and potential changes to make these foods attainable. I investigated trial incentive programs that awards those who consistently bought healthy foods. I explored farm subsidies that can be modified so farmers are able to afford to produce more fruits and vegetables. Lastly, I researched education programs that promote healthy food. The organization Wholesome Wave has started a program where doctors can prescribe fruits and vegetables instead of medicine to overweight children to get them healthier.

The data suggests all of these alternatives are be beneficial; however the only way to influence lifelong behavior is to start when children are young. Therefore, education and the implementation of health food programs in schools are the best ways to make healthy food more affordable and accessible.

Poster file