Assessing Access to Nutritional Food in Schools

Rachel Cohen
November 17, 2017

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Background

Food insecurity and lack of proper nutrition plague millions of Americans nationwide.1 An
estimated 12.3% of American households were food insecure in 2016 – less than half a percent
improvement from 2015.2 According to a report on food insecurity published in 2016 by Economic
Research Service at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), “42 million people in the
United States are living in food-insecure households, 13 million of whom are children.”1 This equates to
roughly one in six children who struggle with hunger.1
The number of children impacted by a lack of access to nutritious food is astounding and the
adverse effects are even more disconcerting. Children who are nutrient deficient are susceptible to a
multitude of challenges including behavioral and academic difficulties. Extensive research has been
conducted showing a correlation between nutritional deficits and student behavior including alertness,
mood, and activity level.3 Even short-term nutritional deficits, resulting from meal skipping, negatively
impact both attendance and performance.3 Further, researchers suggest that children who consume a
nutritious diet outperform children who are less nourished; this is explained by the fact that those with a
more nutritious diet demonstrate increased learning productivity.4
Children of low-income families are often the most heavily impacted by poor nutrition. Because
these families are unable to afford adequate food, they rely on food stamps to bolster their food
consumption. According to a study conducted by Glewwe et al,4 families eat less nutritious food towards
the end of the month due to the insufficient allotment of food provided through Food Stamp Programs. As
a result, children’s performance in school is negatively affected.3
Participants in the Glewwe et al month-long study included African-American children from
second and third grade urban classes. Throughout the study, age-appropriate paper-and-pencil tasks were
administered and food records were completed. Of those who completed the study, “20% of the children
reported an intake that met the minimum daily serving requirements of the Food Guide Pyramid at the
beginning of the month, versus none of the children doing so at the end of the month.”3 Despite expecting
to see improvement on the tasks due to practice effects over time, “5 out of 10 tasks showed poorer results
during the second testing.”3 The results of this study provide one example of how diet and academic
performance are related; food scarcity towards the end of the month was linked to a decline in children’s
task performance.3
Furthermore, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Research on the Wider Benefits of
Learning, children with nutritional deficiencies are susceptible to metabolic changes that impact cognitive
abilities and performance.5 The study concludes that glucose levels play a critical role in optimal
cognitive performance throughout the day. Nutritional intake on a daily basis, including eating breakfast,
is believed to significantly impact behaviors such as an individual’s ability to concentrate and maintain
healthy levels of activity. These behaviors also have the potential to affect interactions with academic
peers. For example, a lack of thiamin (Vitamin B) in the diet is associated with “behavioral problems in
adolescents, such as irritability, aggressive behavior, and personality changes.”5 Thus, nutritional intake
should guide diet choices in order to reduce glucose fluctuations between meals. Glucose-sensitive diets
would result in more consistent academic performance throughout the day in addition to more positive
social interactions between peers. In fact, this research suggests that short-term nutritional deficits exist
partially due to 10-30% of students skipping breakfast.6
A review article analyzed the results of 47 studies related to the practice of "breakfast skipping"
and its effect on body weight and academic performance.7 The articles provide evidence that an
adequately nutritious breakfast improved memory, test grades, and even school attendance. More
specifically, there were improvements seen across several different domains of memory, including short-
term and long-term memory as well as working memory and episodic memory – all vital for higher-level
cognitive functions. Importantly, a more recent study examined the effects of skipping breakfast on
energy intake throughout the day.6 By analyzing data from two experimental studies, researchers were
able to conclude that skipping breakfast does not result in overconsumption later in the day.
Consequently, individuals do not compensate for lost energy consumption from previous meals during

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subsequent meals. Therefore, even if a student is provided a nutritious lunch at school, without a
nutritious breakfast to begin the day, the student will remain in food-related energy deficit throughout the
school day.6
Given the research implications suggesting that students’ performance and behavior are
negatively affected by nutritional deficiencies, it is essential to assess school lunch programs in low-
income student populations and their access to and participation in consuming nutritious food throughout
the school day. Initiatives in the United States to improve the quality of food provided through school
lunch programs has garnered debate over the last decade. In 2010, Congress called for new federal school
lunch program regulations to improve nutrition standards.8 Critics claim that foods are “unpalatable”9,
leading to “waste...and even more kids going without lunch.”9
This needs assessment will focus specifically on all school-aged children in Ypsilanti Public
Schools located in Washtenaw County, Michigan, a community of 21,018 located adjacent to Ann
Arbor.10 In the most recent data published in 2016 by County Health Rankings, 15% of the population
living in Washtenaw County was food insecure.11 Ypsilanti is an urban community where the median
household income is $31,061, and 33.4% of the community is in poverty.10
The various stakeholders involved in this needs assessment include Washtenaw Food Policy
Council, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, policymakers involved with the
National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and Chartwells - the food service provider for Ypsilanti Public
Schools. Additional stakeholders at each respective school include the PTA, school board, school nurse,
students, parents, teachers, and administration.

Demographic & Economic Data

Ypsilanti, Michigan is a suburban city located in Washtenaw County with a population of

21,01810. The gender distribution is approximately equal with females comprising 50.3% and males
comprising 49.7% of the population, respectively. The median age is 24.610, and the overall age
distribution is outlined below. As shown in Figure 1, the youth - those under 18 - make up 14.1% of the
population, which is the subpopulation of interest for this needs assessment12.

Figure 1 (Adapted from Neighborhood Scout, Ypsilanti, MI Demographic Data; data available at
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/about-the-data)

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 While there is no available data for race and ethnicity breakdown in Ypsilanti, the data for all of
Washtenaw County shows the majority is white, comprising 74.4% of the total population. The white,
non-Hispanic or Latino population comprises 70.6% of the population. The breakdown of the remainder
of the Washtenaw County population, in descending order, includes: Black or African American
population - 12.6%; Asian population - 9.1%; Hispanic or Latino population - 4.6%; two or more races
3.4%; American Indian and Alaskan Natives population 0.4%; and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific
Islander alone - 01%10.
Figures 2 and 3 compare the education attainment breakdown between the city of Ypsilanti and
the State of Michigan. Over 50% of the residents in Michigan have earned at least a bachelor's degree
whereas only 39.1% of the residents in Ypsilanti have done so. Further comparison shows the high school
graduation rate in Michigan is 94.5% compared to 90.2% in Ypsilanti13.

Ypsilanti, MI Education Attainment Breakdown Washtenaw County Education Attainment Breakdown

Figure 2 Figure 3
(Adapted from Town Charts, Ypsilanti, MI Education Data; data available at
http://www.towncharts.com/Michigan/Education/Ypsilanti-city-MI-Education-data.html)

The median income level in Ypsilanti between 2011-2015 was $31,061 annually compared to the
median income level of $49,576 for the State of Michigan10. Figure 4, below, shows the distribution of
poverty among races in Ypsilanti, with over 50% of the white community and nearly 40% of the black
community falling below the poverty line14.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Figure 4 (Adapted from Data USA, Ypsilanti, MI Demographic; data available at https://datausa.io/prof
ile/geo/ypsilanti-mi/)

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 Further comparison shows that 33.4% of Ypsilanti households fall below the poverty line while
15% of households in all of Michigan fall below the poverty line10. The unemployment rate in Ypsilanti is
5.8%, which is slightly higher than the state level of 4.5% and even higher than the national rate of 4.4%3.
The most common areas of employment in Ypsilanti, MI are educational services, hospitality,
retail trade, and healthcare and social services. Just over 20% of the population work in educational
service and 12.8% of the city works in healthcare and social services; this is likely due to the career
opportunities in education and healthcare provided by Eastern Michigan University and St. Joseph Mercy
hospital located in Ypsilanti, as well as the proximity to the University of Michigan located in Ann
Arbor14. Figure 5 further shows the breakdown of the primary employment sectors in Ypsilanti. Note that
Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address; therefore, some of the residents
included in the data below may live in Ypsilanti but work elsewhere.

Figure 5 (Adapted from Data USA, Ypsilanti, MI Industries; data available at

https://datausa.io/profile/geo/ypsilanti-mi/)

Figure 6, below, shows the inverse relationship between owner and rental occupied housing units
in Ypsilanti compared to the entire State of Michigan. There are a significantly higher percentage of
residents renting in the city than in the overall state. Conversely, there is a higher rate of homeownership
in all of Michigan compared to Ypsilanti. Additionally, the average monthly rental fee in Ypsilanti is
$746 as compared to $783 in Michigan15. These statistics further illustrate the trend of increased poverty
and decreased income levels in Ypsilanti compared to Michigan in general.

Ypsilanti Michigan

Owner occupied 30.9% 71%

Rental occupied 69.1% 29%

Figure 6 (Adapted from U.S. Census Bureau, American Fact Finder 2016; data available at
https://factfinder.census.gov/)

Given that over 1/3 of the city falls below the poverty line and on average, residents are paying
over 25% of their after-tax dollars towards rent, it is not surprising that food insecurity exists. Children
are an especially vulnerable population and assessing their access to nutritious food throughout the school
day is vital.

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Health Statistic Data

Washtenaw County health statistic data was used as a proxy in the absence of specific data for
Ypsilanti. It is not clear whether data can be extrapolated to Ypsilanti, specifically, as certain cities in
Washtenaw County are wealthier than Ypsilanti.
Figure 7, below, illustrates that heart disease is the leading cause of death in Washtenaw County,
in the State of Michigan, and the United States as whole, followed by cancer and chronic lower
respiratory diseases17. From 2006-2010, the average rate of death in Washtenaw County due to heart
disease was 125 per 100,000, which is lower than both the state and national average of 159 and 135
deaths per 100,000, respectively. Among races and ethnicities, the populations most affected by heart
disease in Washtenaw County are Blacks or African Americans (177per 100,000), followed by Hispanics
or Latinos (148 per 100,000), and whites (122 per 100,000) 16.

Figure 7 (Adapted from Washtenaw County Health Department, Mortality Characteristics 2015; data
available at https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/osr/chi/Deaths/leadUS/LeadingUSObject2.asp?
AreaCode=48&AreaType=L&JS=No)

Figure 8 shows the ten leading causes of death for the population in Washtenaw County living
below the poverty line. The table further categorizes the data by sex. In 2014, heart disease and cancer
were the two leading causes of death for both males and females, which is consistent with the national
average17.

Figure 8 (Adapted from Washtenaw County Health Department, Mortality Characteristics 2015; data
avilable at https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/osr/chi/Deaths/leadUS/LeadingUSOb ject2.asp?
AreaCode=48&AreaType=L&JS=No)

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 Although data regarding the leading causes of death for the K-12 subpopulation in Ypsilanti was
unavailable, Figure 9, below, shows that the leading cause of death in the United States for this
subpopulation is unintentional injury proceeded by malignant neoplasms20.

Figure 9 (Adapted from the Center for Disease Control, 10 Leading Causes of Death and Injury 2015;
data available at https://www.cdc.gov/injury/images/lc-charts/leading_causes_ of_death_age
_group_2015_1050w740h.gif)

The leading causes of morbidity in Washtenaw County are high blood pressure and high
cholesterol, both contributing factors to heart disease. The subpopulations at higher risk for such
conditions include Blacks or African-Americans, residents with limited activity level, and persons with an
income of less than $35,000 per year16. Other contributing factors to chronic diseases include behaviors
such as poor diet, lack of exercise, and tobacco use16. Tables 7 and 8, below, outline the 20 leading
hospital diagnoses for the State of Michigan and Washtenaw County, respectively17.

Figure 10 & Figure 11 (Adapted from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Hospitalizations
by Selected Diagnoses, 2016; data available from https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/osr/CHI/hospdx/frame.html.)
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 Figure 12 outlines the leading diagnoses for hospitalizations by gender and age in Washtenaw
County for the subpopulation of this needs assessment. Following newborns and neonates, psychoses,
asthma, and injury and poisoning contribute to the leading causes of hospitalization17 for the K-12
population.

Figure 12 (Adapted from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Hospitalizations by
Selected Diagnoses, 2016; data available from https://www.mdch.state.mi.us/osr/CHI/hospdx/fra
me.html.)

The infant mortality rate in 2015 varied between the national, state, and county rates. The overall
infant death rate throughout the United States was 0.584% compared to 0.676% in the State of Michigan,
and 0.378% in Washtenaw County. Figure 13, below, outlines these statistics and also illustrates the
dichotomy among infant death rate in white versus black populations in the State of Michigan; the rate
among the black population was almost three times higher than among the white population20.

Infant Mortality Rate: United States, Michigan, & Washtenaw County

Population Year Infant Deaths Live Births Infant Death Rate

United States 2015 23,215 4,978,497 0.584

Michigan 2015 765 113,211 0.676
Washtenaw 2015 14 3,704 0.378
County
Michigan – by 2015 418 82,938 0.503
race – white

Michigan – by 2015 306 21,457 1.425

race – black
Figure 13 (Adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health
Statistics, 2015; https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/infant-health.htm.)

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 Overweight and obesity are prevalent health concerns in Washtenaw County. According to the
2015 HIP Survey, 56.1% of adults are considered overweight or obese, measured on the BMI metric. In
contrast, 43.9% of adults surveyed were considered not overweight19. Figure 14, below, shows the
distribution rate of overweight and obesity in Washtenaw County children, ages 2-17. A staggering 25%
of children in this population are overweight or obese16. Furthermore, the rate of obesity increases with
age and within certain ethnic groups. Obesity is prevalent in 30% of kids ages 14-17, and 37% of Blacks
or African Americans are considered obese. This is in comparison to 23% of white children who are
obese. This data is crucial when considering the concern underlying this needs assessment: access to
healthy food throughout the school day. Nearly 40% of the children surveyed are covered by Medicaid, an
indicator of poverty16. Furthermore, poverty is an indicator of obesity disparities and needs to be
considered when assessing access to nutritious food throughout the school day in the Ypsilanti school
district where 33.4% of the population is living in poverty.

Figure 14 (Adapted from Whastenaw County Public Health, Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Washtenaw County, MI 2015; data available at http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departm
ents/public_health/family_health/family-health-services/childhood-obesity-content-1/content-
2015/WashCochildoverweight2015.pdf)

In 2015, 92.4% of adults living in Washtenaw County had access to health insurance; only 7.6%
were uninsured. According to results from the Washtenaw County HIP survey, 67.9% of participants
were enrolled in commercial insurance compared to 10.3% enrolled in Medicaid/Healthy Michigan and
14% enrolled in Medicare19.

Nutrition/Physical Activity Assessment Data

According to the Washtenaw County Community Health Data 2015 HIP survey, dietary food intake
among adults in the county was worse compared to the state and national rates. For example, only 18% of
the population reported eating more than the five recommended servings of fruit and vegetables per day.

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This is in contrast to 22% of the state and 24% of the nation whom reported consuming at least five
servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Figure 15, below, shows the distribution of Washtenaw County
residents whose fruit and vegetable consumption was affected by their access to a grocery store19.

2015 Fruit and Vegetables Limited by Distance to Full Service Grocery Store
Usually or Always Sometimes or Never
Rarely
Percent 7.5% 18.7% 73.8%

Figure 15 (Adapted from Health Improvement Plan of Washtenaw County, Food Consumption; data
available at https://healthsurveys.ewashtenaw.org/#/survey/question/HIP/2015/DstInterfere?Category
=Adult)

Based on the data from the HIP survey, 43% of adults in Washtenaw County reported eating fast
food at least once per week, and 19% reported eating it two or more times per week. These rates are even
higher when looking exclusively at Ypsilanti, where 56% of the residents report eating fast food once or
more per week. Nearly 50% of families in Ypsilanti with income levels below $35,000 per year reported
eating fast food once or more per week19. Moreover, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in Ypsilanti
ranked among the top five cities in Washtenaw County for greatest money spent on soft drinks.
Children in Washtenaw County, in contrast to adults, consumed more fruits and vegetables per
day. Figure 16 shows the distribution of servings broken down by age. The majority of the K-12 age
population consumed at least 2-4 servings per day. Note that these statistics reflect a very small sample
size19. This data is particularly important given this needs assessment of looking at access to nutritious
food throughout the school day. Interestingly, children are consuming a higher percentage of fruits and
vegetables per day relative to the adult population.

Figure 16 (Adapted from Health Improvement Plan of Washtenaw County, Food Consumption; data
available at https://healthsurveys.ewashtenaw.org/#/survey/question/HIP/2015/ChSweet?categ ory=Child)

In 2011, the State of Michigan was ranked as the 5th heaviest state in the United States with 31%
of adults considered obese16. In 2015, more people living in Washtenaw County were considered
overweight or obese than a normal weight. Figure 17, below, shows the breakdown of weight status based
on BMI for four categories including underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Roughly 40%

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of the Washtenaw County population falls into the normal weight category whereas just over 55% of the
population falls into the overweight and obese categories19.

Figure 17 (Adapted from Health Improvement Plan of Washtenaw County, Weight Status Based on BMI
2015; data available at https://healthsurveys.ewashtenaw.org/#/survey/question/HIP/2015/BMIcat4?cate
gory=Adult)

A survey of the adolescent population in Washtenaw County reveals that 31% of all 9th-11th
graders are overweight or obese. In 2012, 28% of low-income preschoolers in the Washtenaw County
WIC program were overweight or obese. The Hispanic and Latino populations had higher rates of
overweight and obesity compared to whites or blacks and African Americans16.
In 2010, 65% of residents living in Washtenaw County reported getting the recommended 20
minutes of vigorous physical activity three or more times per week. However, there was a large
discrepancy in physical activity among those earning over $75,000 per year and those earning less than
$35,000 per year. The higher class reported 81% getting adequate levels of physical activity compared to
45% in the lower class16. Nearly 50% of children ages 6-17 in Washtenaw County reported exercising for
60 minutes 5-7 days per week. Only 8.9% reported exercising 0-1 days per week and 41.6% reported
exercising for 60 minutes 2-4 days per week19. These countywide statistics mirror the breakdown for
exercise in the city of Ypsilanti.
In the United States, 15.4% of the population is considered food insecure. In Michigan, 15.7% of
the population is food insecure, and in Washtenaw County, 14.7% of residents report a struggle with food
insecurity or hunger. This percentage dramatically increases for families with children and families living
in poverty; many parents report skipping meals and making portions smaller to make food last longer21.
Breastfeeding rates in Washtenaw County in 2017 were higher than the state average. According
to data published by Women, Infants, Children (WIC) on breastfeeding data, 80% of all WIC babies in
Washtenaw County initiated breastfeeding after birth compared to 65% in Michigan overall. The
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months
and up two years or beyond. However, by six months, 78% of the babies initially breastfed in Washtenaw
County were no longer breastfeeding. Moreover, by nine months, 90% were no longer breastfeeding and
by 11 months, 97% were no longer breastfeeding22.
Given the poor food choices including increased consumption of fast food intake and sugar-
sweetened drinks in Ypsilanti, it is important to look at students’ access to nutritious food and their
understanding and ability to make healthy food decisions.

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Community Assets and Resources

Ypsilanti, Michigan and the broader Washtenaw County have many existing nutrition and health
related community services, programs, and resources designed to improve the health of the local
community. Below is a comprehensive list of programs, including an array of government food and
nutrition programs, non-profit organizations, and faith-based community kitchens.

• Government food/nutrition programs

o Washtenaw County Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC)
o Washtenaw County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
o Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels
o Project Healthy Schools
o Chartwells – food service provider
o Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
o National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
o The School Breakfast Program
o After School Snack Program
o Free and Reduced School Meal Programs
o Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
o Washtenaw County Department of Public Health
o Washtenaw Food Policy Council
• Health Clinics/Hospitals
o St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Center
o Eastern Michigan University Healthcare
o University of Michigan Medical Center
• Additional organizations and programs
o Food pantries
o Dietitians, IBLCs
o Farmers’ Markets
o Jewish Family Services
o Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County
o Food Pantries
o Food Gatherers
o Healthy Kids Healthy Michigan
• Community assets and resources
o Parks and facilities
o Bike paths – including Border to Border Trail
o Fitness centers

Several of the community resources listed above are instrumental in providing K-12 students
access to nutritious food throughout the school day. First, the National School Breakfast Program (SBP),
a federally assisted meal program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the United
States Department of Agriculture, provides qualifying children with free or reduced priced school
breakfast. As research previously described suggests, consuming breakfast can help improve memory, test
grades, and even school attendance7. Additionally, free and reduced nutritionally balanced lunches are
provided through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), a federally assisted meal program
administered by the FNS23. An additional component to the NSLP is the afterschool snack option, which
provides qualifying children with a free or reduced cost snack. The snack option must meet the federal
requirements for a nutritional snack23. These various federal programs help ensure that students,
regardless of age or socioeconomic status, have access to nutritious food throughout the school day.

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 Although the NSLP is a federally assisted program, the program is administered at the state level
by state agencies through agreements with school and food authorities. Chartwells is the food service
provider for Washtenaw County schools. This food provider is an important resource for the community
as their mission is “to extend [their] passion, dedication, knowledge and enthusiasm into serving each
student delicious and nutritious meals” 24. Not only does Chartwells provide healthy food options for
students with food labels for each item served, but they also create curriculum to bolster students’
nutrition education.
Two additional government funded programs that provide food assistance and nutrition education
to students and their families living in Washtenaw County include WIC and SNAP. WIC provides
supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income women and their
children up to age five who are considered at nutritional risk22. SNAP offers nutrition assistance to low-
income individuals and families25. These programs help families with food supplementation and can help
ensure that children have access to nutritious food.
Lastly, the Washtenaw Food Policy Council is a critical community resource as it strives to
increase and maintain access to safe, local, and healthy food for all residents of Washtenaw County. More
specifically, several of their goals include providing access to healthy food for all residents, ensuring
funding for food assistance programs, decreasing transportation barriers, and advocating for the adoption
of and participation in school nutrition programs26.

Recommendation of Priorities

This community needs assessment focused on assessing students’ access to nutritious food
throughout the school day. Through programs such as the National School Lunch Program, students have
increased access to healthy breakfast, lunch, and after school snack options. However, statistics also
reveal overweight and obesity as prevalent health concerns in Washtenaw County, with 25% of children
falling into either category. Poverty is an indicator of obesity disparities and needs to be considered when
assessing access to nutritious food. In the Ypsilanti school district, 33.4% of the population is living in
poverty and report a struggle with food insecurity or hunger.
Although programs exist that provide students with healthy food options, an additional
component to healthy eating is making informed decisions about choices. Currently, in Washtenaw
County, there are several programs including Project Healthy Schools and Chartwells’ nutrition lessons
that help educate the youth, but few programs exist to support adolescent and high school students in
making proper nutrition decisions as they become more autonomous. The lack of education is evident in
the statistics relating to fast-food and soft-drink consumption in Ypsilanti. Implementing a continuous
nutritional educational component could help guide students’ food decisions and lead to healthier
outcomes.
Programs such as the National School Lunch Program are instrumental in providing students with
access to nutritious meals. However, only certain populations qualify for the free and reduced meals,
including children who participate in Federal Assistance Programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program, or based on their status as homeless. Even though programs are available to students
who fall into the lower socioeconomic population, not all students take advantage of the meals due to the
stigma associated with subsidized meals. If the free programs were made accessible to a broader range, if
not all, socioeconomic populations, the stigma meals would attenuate and more students would eat
nutritious meals.
Data also suggests that the majority of the K-12 age population in Ypsilanti consume at least 2-4
servings of fruits and vegetables per day. While these statistics are promising, the survey reflects a small
population size and may not be representative of the entire city. Additional surveys, through Chartwells
and individual school breakfast, lunch, and snack programs, would reveal a more accurate daily fruit and

13
vegetable intake among K-12 children. This data could help guide programs necessary to increase fruit
and vegetable consumption and reach a broader range of students.
Lastly, as indicated in the background section, families who qualify for SNAP benefits often
experience exacerbated food constraints towards the end of the month. An additional potential area of
improvement includes utilizing school programs, in some capacity, to combat increased food insecurities
students endure towards the end of each month.
Food insecurity is a prevalent concern in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Improved nutritional intake can
increase health and educational outcomes. Assessing vulnerable populations’ access to nutritious food,
specifically K-12 students, is critical.

14
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https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/about-the-data. Accessed October 13, 2017.
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October 13, 2017.
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October 13, 2017.
15. U.S. Census Bureau. American Fact Finder 2016. https://factfinder.census.gov/. Accessed October
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16. Washtenaw County Public Health. Childhood Overweight and Obesity Washtenaw County, MI 2015.
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/public_health/family_health/family-health-
services/childhood-obesity-content-1/content-2015/WashCochildoverweight2015.pdf. Accessed
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17. Washtenaw County Health Department. Mortality Characteristics 2015.
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de=48&AreaType=L&JS=No. Accessed October 20, 2017.
18. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Michigan Infant Mortality 2015.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-73970_2944_4669_4694---,00.html. Accessed
October 20, 2017.

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20. The Center for Disease Control. 10 Leading Causes of Death and Injury 2105.
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charts/leading_causes_of_death_age_group_2015_1050w740h.gif. Accessed October 21, 2017.
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22. Women, Infants, Children. Breastfeeding Data 2017.
http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/public_health/health-
promotion/hip/pdfs/august-3-chc-meeting-pdfs/wic-breastfeeding-data. Accessed November 2, 2017.
23. USDA. The School Breakfast Program 2017. https://fns-
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25. USDA. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program 2017.
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26. Washtenaw County Food Policy Council. 2017.
https://washtenawfoodpolicycouncil.wordpress.com/about/. Accessed November 13, 2017.

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