This thesis studies households in Vinton and Seneca counties, Ohio, to determine the likelihood of household food insecurity and the likelihood of adult consumption of fruits and vegetables. Vinton and Seneca counties are classified as food desert counties, defined as areas where households have limited access to retail food stores. Using primary data collected from household surveys, an empirical analysis using binary and ordered logit regression models was conducted using food insecurity and fruit and vegetable consumption as dependent variables. Independent variables included socioeconomic and demographic predictors.
A major finding from the study is that access to food retail stores is a significant factor in predicting the likelihood of adult consumption of fruits and vegetables; however, access to food retail stores is not a significant factor in predicting the likelihood of household food insecurity. The most significant factors for food insecurity are the demographic indicators of household income, educational level, and age of the householder. Additional findings show that food assistance and alternative supplies of food to the household are also significant factors that affect the likelihood of adult consumption of fruits and vegetables and the likelihood of food insecurity. At the conclusion of the study, recommendations are offered for public policies that will positively impact food desert households.