Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-8-2025

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Nutrition and Hospitality Management

First Advisor

Melinda Wells Valliant

Second Advisor

Georgianna Mann Schroeder

Third Advisor

Laurel Greenway Bradley

Relational Format

This thesis addresses the intersection of food insecurity, chronic illness, and access to preventive care across Mississippi, especially in underserved communities. By combining original data collection with partnerships through organizations like the Student Health Coalition, Oxford Community Market, and Jackson Free Clinic, this project contributes to public health knowledge and offers a scalable model for community-based interventions. The work responds to real-time needs by improving nutrition literacy, resource access, and health outcomes at the campus, local, and state level.

Abstract

This thesis explores food insecurity in Oxford and Lafayette County, Mississippi, within the broader context of state, national, and global challenges. Over a four-year period, student-led and community organizations collaborated to design programs that addressed both food access and chronic illness prevention through education, outreach, and direct service. Community input was gathered through health screenings, campus engagement, and informal interviews with residents, which guided the development of practical tools like recipe kits, QR code-based cookbooks, and on-site health education. These efforts were rooted in local partnerships and shaped by the lived experiences of those most affected. This project demonstrates that scalable, community-informed strategies can help reduce food insecurity and support public health in meaningful and replicable ways.

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Available for download on Saturday, May 09, 2026

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