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2018 Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Conference

Event Details

  • Date: 10/11/2018
  • Presenters:
  • Theme: Economic Research Aimed at Enhancing Food Security and Dietary Quality for Low-Income Americans through the Nation’s Nutrition Assistance Programs
  • Sponsor: Economic Research Service; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University and the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut

Description

The RIDGE Program encourages new and innovative research on food assistance and nutrition issues and broadens the participation of social science scholars in this important research area. The annual conference is held to provide a forum for grant recipients and attendees to discuss results of recently funded grants on topics that include food assistance program participation, food insecurity among vulnerable populations, and community influence on food assistance and dietary choices. RIDGE is administered in partnership with with Tufts University and the University of Connecticut.

Location and date:

Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU)
1307 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
October 11, 2018

Registration:

Attendance is free, but registration is required due to limited space and security requirements. To attend the conference, register by email to Alana Rhone at: ERSFEDRIDGE@ERS.USDA.GOV

Early registration is encouraged as conference capacity may be met prior to October 11.

Agenda

2018 Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Conference

8:00 – 8:45: Registration and Refreshments

8:45 – 9:15: Opening remarks

  • Victor Oliveira, ERS RIDGE Program Director
  • Shelly Ver Ploeg, Chief, Food Assistance Branch, ERS
  • Melissa Abelev, Assistant Deputy Administrator for Policy Support, Food and Nutrition Service
  • Parke Wilde, Tufts/UConn RIDGE Program Director

Session A: Outcomes with Implications for Healthy Weight

Moderator: Alana Rhone, ERS

9:15 – 9:45: Do Universal Free School Meals Reduce Childhood Obesity?

Michah Rothbart, Syracuse University

9:45 - 10:15: The Impact of the Monthly SNAP Issuance Cycle on Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Purchasing and Implications for Policy Change

Eric Rimm, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

10:15 – 10:30: Session break

Session B: Effects of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Moderator: Sara John, Tufts/UConn RIDGE Program Research Coordinator

10:30 – 11:00: Does SNAP Encourage Claiming Disability Insurance Effects?

Emmanuel Drabo, Stanford University

11:00 – 11:30: The Effects of Disability, SNAP Participation and Changes in Benefits on Food Insecurity

Seungyeon Cho, Texas A&M

11:30 – 12:00: Multi-generational Effects of Prenatal and Early Life Access to SNAP

Marianne Page, University of California, Davis

12:00 – 1:15: Lunch on your own

Session C: SNAP/WIC Implications for Food Retail

Moderator: Eric Williams, Food and Nutrition Service

1:15 – 1:45: Is Food Assistance Like Cash for Retailers?

Marianne Bitler, University of California, Davis

1:45 – 2:15: Food Choices of SNAP Participants at Convenience Stores and Large Retailers

Grace Melo, University of Georgia

2:15 – 2:30: Session break

Session D: Early Childhood Nutrition Programs

Moderator: Tatiana Andreyeva, Tufts/UConn RIDGE Program Associate Director

2:30 – 3:00: Organizational Readiness for Knowledge Translation and WIC Participation

Naisi Zhao, Tufts University School of Medicine

3:00 - 3:30: Understanding the Impact of Changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program on Food Expenditures, Food Quality, and Young Children’s Dietary Intake in Urban Family Child Care Homes

Erica Kenney, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

3:30 – 3:45: Closing remarks and adjournment

  • Parke Wilde, Tufts/UConn RIDGE Program Director
  • Shelly Ver Ploeg, Chief, Food Assistance Branch, ERS