Farmers markets (FMs) serve an important role in local food economies. FMs are multi-scalar operations that involve a number of decision makers: farmers, market managers, and local residents. FMs provide economic benefits to individual farmers, as they serve as a marketplace where local and regional growers and producers can sell products to customers, yet, unlike traditional retailers who have devoted merchandising managers, FMs are constrained by a lack of operational efficiencies that would allow FMs to effectively mimic this marketing strategy to increase profitability. The purpose of this study is assess how FM managers can optimize sales revenue at their markets and expand market reach to increase traffic to their markets. We assemble a revenue history from market vendors for the years 2016-2019 and perform a portfolio optimization problem. This approach assumes that a FM’s decision of which vendors to allow to sell at the market is akin to an investor’s problem of deciding which assets to hold in an investment portfolio. In a case study of a farmers market in the Southwest, we find that the current vendor mix is sub optimal and lies much below the efficient frontier. The implications of these results for FM managers is improvements can be made by changing the vendor mix to match one of the portfolios that lie along the efficient frontier.

Meeting the food needs of a growing population, estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050 (Dou et al., 2021), is a global challenge as society continuously invests in technologies to increase food production. Meanwhile, inspired by sustainability and environmental stewardship initiatives, food production practices themselves have begun to shift. The production of alternative proteins is one such food technology that continues to attract the attention of the investors, the media, and stakeholders along the food supply chain. Dominating the market for alternative proteins are plant-based meat alternatives (“PBMA”) meant to satisfy consumers’ tastes and preferences for animal-derived proteins while minimizing environmental impact. Not only are PBMAs positioned to alleviate the effects of the livestock industry on the environment and climate (Dou et al., 2021), but also contribute to ancillary improvements related to animal welfare and human health issues. The current barriers to entry for food manufacturers interested in participating in the PBMA sector relate to research and development and product formulation, as well as the scalability of production given the extensive processing required to produce PBMA products. With this in mind, food manufacturers must anticipate production requirements and their relationships with input suppliers to support the growing demand for PBMAs. This analysis examines, in detail, the landscape of new product introduction of PBMAs, the production requirements for sustaining their global food demand, and presents insights into what is necessary to maintain and preserve flexibility in the supply chain for PBMAs.

As one of the root causes of chronic hunger, it is well-established that food insecurity adversely affects health and economic outcomes of those afflicted (Carmichael et al. 2007; Seligman et al. 2009; Huang, Matta Oshima, and Kim, 2010; Pan et al. 2012; Martinez et al. 2018). More than eleven percent of Americans, uncertain about where their next meal will come from, experienced some degree of food insecurity in 2018 (Coleman-Jensen, 2019). Programs like SNAP and WIC have not only proven to be effective in providing food for households, but they can serve as an example for other countries that struggle to help citizens meet their dietary needs (Gundersen, 2019). non-government entities like food banks and food pantries have played an increasingly important role in addressing food insecurity. While there is a perception that food banks and pantries are only emergency resources, evidence suggests that many individuals regularly rely on private hunger relief organizations for food (Paynter et al., 2011; Kicinski, 2012). Food banks play a crucially important role in distributing food and are uniquely positioned to alleviate hunger. However, these private organizations have been shown, compared to public food assistance programs, to be less effective at specifically addressing the issue of food insecurity (Bazerghi et al., 2016; Loopstra & Tarasuk, 2012; Ratcliffe & McKernan, 2010; Metallinos-Katsaras et al., 2010). Existing research has largely focused on the characteristics of food pantry clients generally, without exploring the socio-economic and experiential variation within this group (Towers, 2009; Kicinski, 2012; Gundersen el al., 2017). This study fills a gap in the literature by examining the characteristics of food pantry users, and how they compare to those not using food pantries but still face food insecurity, using nationally representative survey data. Additionally, I explore whether food pantries and public food assistance programs might be “bundled” together. I focus on gradients of economic vulnerability by examining households who participate in public food assistance programs, are SNAP-eligible but not participating, as well as households who bundle both private and public food assistance to meet their food needs. With this thesis, I hope to contribute this research by providing behavioral insights into understanding the role that food banks play in mitigating challenges associated with food insecurity among US households.

As health disparities among Native Americans persist, promoting better health outcomes is of paramount concern among Native populations. A variety of programs exist that try to alleviate problems resulting in higher rates of diet-related chronic diseases and premature death. Indigenous-led nonprofits have implemented a series of nutritional education courses designed to empower community members to make healthier food choices. A theoretically-based curriculum, which provides learners information in the form of sensory-based modules, e.g., food preparation, food handling, cultural awareness, and practical cooking skills, has been introduced in various communities in the Great Plains and Southwest and met with success. We present evidence of success of a series of nutritional education programs, modeled after a canonical educational learning model Bloom’s Taxonomy, whereby families received information and resources necessary to make healthier food across three tiers. As each successive module of the program challenges higher cognitive domains, participants are more likely to indicate satisfaction in the course material as well as a desired change in their behavior, which we attribute to synthesizing and evaluating information to fully master program concepts. Aspects of this programming framework have the potential to be adapted to and integrated into other Native communities striving for the successful adoption of healthier diets.