Media Resident Bridget Brabson Tackles Food Deserts With Nutritional Toolkit

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PHILADELPHIA, PA (06/21/2011)(readMedia)-- As part of a summer research project, Saint Joseph's University junior Bridget Brabson (of Media, Pa.) will develop a nutritional toolkit for children living in pockets of Philadelphia neighborhoods where it's difficult to find healthy food. Geographically defined as food deserts, these are generally low-income areas with limited access to supermarkets and a high number of small corner stores that rarely offer nutrient-rich options.

Her research project, "An Interactive Approach to Educating Philadelphia Youth and Their Families on Nutrition," is sponsored by Saint Joseph's Summer Scholars Program which runs 11 weeks from May until August. The program requires students to work exclusively with a faculty mentor to produce a written description of their research that will be published by the University. Brabson will present her findings next spring during the Celebration of Student Achievement event. For her work, she has received a stipend of $3,200, on-campus housing, and the opportunity to participate in social and educational programs.

"The toolkit will teach kids basic information like how to read a label, outline the calories in common foods, and offer tips for portion control," says Brabson. She also plans to develop a smaller toolkit for parents which will include information about how to stock a healthy kitchen, and recipe flashcards with low-cost ingredients for meals.

Brabson explains she has taken both a scientific and consumer behavior approach to the research. This method is not dissimilar to one taken recently by the USDA in May of 2011 with the introduction of the food plate. A team of nutritionists and food marketers developed the new concept, which replaced the decade-old food pyramid with a simplified and consumer-friendly graphic.

"The science behind good nutrition really hasn't changed," says Brabson. "It's all about packaging the information for consumers in a way that will get them to pay attention."

With the support of her faculty advisor, Richard George, Ph.D., chair and professor of food marketing, Brabson will introduce the nutritional toolkit to a select number of local families early this fall.

Contact: Carolyn Steigleman '10 (M.A.), Director of Haub School of Business Communications, csteigle@sju.edu, 610-660-1355