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Papers by stephanie godrich

BMC Public Health, Jan 9, 2024

Background Diets low in vegetables are a main contributor to the health burden experienced by Aus... more Background Diets low in vegetables are a main contributor to the health burden experienced by Australians living in rural communities. Given the ubiquity of smartphones and access to the Internet, digital interventions may offer an accessible delivery model for a dietary intervention in rural communities. However, no digital interventions to address low vegetable intake have been co-designed with adults living in rural areas. This paper describes the co-design of a digital intervention to improve vegetable intake with rural community members and research partners. Active participants in the co-design process were adults ≥ 18 years living in three rural Australian communities (total n = 57) and research partners (n = 4) representing three local rural governments and one peak non-government health organisation. An iterative co-design process was undertaken to understand the needs (predesign phase) and ideas (generative phase) of the target population. Eight online workshops and a community survey were conducted between July and December 2021. The MoSCoW prioritisation method was used to help participants identify the 'Must-have, Should-have, Could-have, and Won't-have or will not have right now' features and functions of the digital intervention. Workshops were transcribed and inductively analysed using NVivo. Convergent and divergent themes were identified between the workshops and community survey to identify how to implement the digital intervention in the community. Consensus was reached on a concept for a digital intervention that addressed individual and food environment barriers to vegetable intake, specific to rural communities. Implementation recommendations centred on (i) food literacy approaches to improve skills via access to vegetable-rich recipes and healthy eating resources, (ii) access to personalisation options and behaviour change support, and (iii) improving the community food environment by providing information on and access to local food initiatives. Conclusions Rural-dwelling adults expressed preferences for personalised intervention features that can enhance food literacy and engagement with community food environments. This research will inform the development of the prototyping (evaluation phase) and feasibility testing (post-design phase) of this intervention.

What goes in and what comes out: a scoping review of regenerative agricultural practices

Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems

Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 2023

Food systems are complex, with a multitude of drivers including climate change, income markets, p... more Food systems are complex, with a multitude of drivers including climate change, income markets, policy, social norms, and demography. Within food systems, food supply chain activities influence food resources, and in turn, diets. More broadly, economic, social, and environmental impacts dictate a person's dietary quantity, quality, diversity, safety, and adequacy. Food security is a term describing a situation where everyone has physical, social, and economic access to nutritious food which meets their dietary needs, and food preferences. Not only does food need to be available, accessible, utilised, stable, but also sustainable. However, in a global context, food systems are fraught with issues threatening food security, including shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and war. Globally, 2020 food prices were higher than in the previous six years. Within Australia, we lack food system resiliency due to a casualised workforce, reliance on international workers, a concentration of supermarket power, and widening inequities, among others. Evidence suggests that Australia will not meet global targets to achieve the 'Zero Hunger' 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. We face an incredible challenge; to feed an increasing population sustainably. Local food systems, also known as 'alternative food networks', are often sold for local or regional markets. Australian research reported barriers to purchasing and consuming more locally grown food such as affordability, limited availability, and a lack of interest. While enablers included altruistic reasons such as financially supporting farmers, personal health perceptions or an environmental contribution. Evidence suggests local food systems encourage seasonal eating and dietary diversity, connect consumers and producers, and increase food system resiliency. This presentation asserts that communities must participate in shaping the food systems which impact their food security. Food Policy Groups (FPG) are a potential mechanism to involve community and food system stakeholders in driving such actions forward. These inter-agency alliances focus on impact areas such as food access, equity, and food system resiliency. A scoping review was undertaken in August-November 2022, to synthesise the literature describing the impact of FPG on local food systems within highincome countries. A total of 355 peer-reviewed and grey literature sources were imported into Covidence for screening; 31 duplicates were removed, 324 sources were screened, 146 full-text sources assessed for eligibility. Thirty-one sources with evaluation evidence demonstrating their impact were extracted. FPG focused on increasing food system equity, such as distributing culturally appropriate food; increased access to healthy food, such as successfully advocating for food objectives to be written into local food system plans; supporting food system resiliency, such as achieving local food procurement in schools. The international evidence suggests FPG are impactful across several food system aspects. Future research will examine whether FPG could be an effective mechanism for local food system change in Australia.

Research Square (Research Square), Apr 30, 2021

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Australian food supply through changed consume... more Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Australian food supply through changed consumer purchasing patterns, and potentially, household food security. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of food insecurity and food supply issues, and perspectives of food supply stakeholders in regional Australia. Methods: A mixed-methods consumer survey and in-depth interviews with food supply stakeholders were conducted in South West Western Australia between May and July 2020, immediately after the 1 st wave of the pandemic Results: The prevalence of food insecurity was 21%, and signi cantly more prevalent for those aged less than 30 years and living with a disability. Most consumers (73%) agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the food supply. Food insecure respondents were more likely to report that food was more expensive, resulting in changes to the types and quantities of food bought. Food supply stakeholders perceived that consumers increased their intention to buying locally grown produce. Panic buying temporarily reduced the availability of food for both consumers and food suppliers. Conclusions: Further government support at a local, regional, and national level is necessary to support households at risk of food insecurity and to bolster regional food systems to support equitable access to food.

Nutrition Research Reviews, Sep 4, 2023

This scoping review aimed to explore international evidence on the impact of Food Policy Groups (... more This scoping review aimed to explore international evidence on the impact of Food Policy Groups (FPGs) on local food systems, in urban and rural regions of high-income countries. Peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched to identify thirty-one documents published between 2002 and 2022 providing evidence on the impact of FPGs. Activities spanned domains including increasing food equity (e.g. strengthening school meals programmes); increasing knowledge and/or demand for healthy food (e.g. food literacy programmes with children and adults); increasing food access (e.g. enhancing local food procurement); environmental sustainability (e.g. promoting low-waste food items on café menus); economic development (e.g. ensuring local businesses are not outperformed by large food distributors); and increasing food system resiliency (e.g. establishment of local produce schemes). Most FPGs reported conducting activities that positively influenced multiple food system domains and reported activities in urban areas, and to a lesser extent in rural areas. Our study highlighted a range of qualitative and quantitative evaluation strategies used to measure FPGs' impact on local food systems. Our recommendations focus on regular and systematic evaluation and research surrounding the impact of FPG activities, to build the evidence base of their impact. Ideally, evaluation would utilise comprehensive and established tools. We recommend exploring the establishment of FPGs across more regions of high-income countries, particularly rural areas, and forming partnerships between FPGs, local government and universities to maximise implementation and evaluation of activities.

Nutrients

Current tools scoring the healthiness of food retail outlets do not reflect outlets found in rura... more Current tools scoring the healthiness of food retail outlets do not reflect outlets found in rural locations. This study aimed to adapt pre-existing Australian scoring tools to represent non-metropolitan areas. Rural nutrition experts were identified, and a modified Delphi technique was used to adapt two pre-existing, food-scoring tools in five iterative stages. Stages included identifying all relevant outlets, providing a description and score for each, ensuring consistency between outlet scores and pre-existing, metro-centric tools, and providing instructions for correct use. Six rural nutrition experts were identified and engaged in the modified Delphi technique. The final tool consisted of 12 categories of food outlets and listed 35 individual outlets. Consistent with pre-existing Australian tools, scores ranged from +10 to −10 and included descriptions reflective of rural retail outlets. Scores were based on whether the majority of foods offered within the outlet were consisten...

Nutrients, Sep 2, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic vulnerabilities and disrupted the Australian food ... more The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic vulnerabilities and disrupted the Australian food supply, with potential implications for food insecurity. This study aims to describe the prevalence and socio-demographic associations of food insecurity in Tasmania, Australia, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey (deployed late May to early June 2020) incorporated the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, and fifteen demographic and COVID-related income questions. Survey data (n = 1170) were analyzed using univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression. The prevalence of food insecurity was 26%. The adjusted odds of food insecurity were higher among respondents with a disability, from a rural area, and living with dependents. Increasing age, a university education, and income above $80,000/year were protective against food insecurity. Food insecurity more than doubled with a loss of household income above 25% (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR): 2.02; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.71; p = 0.022), and the odds further increased with loss of income above 75% (AOR: 7.14; 95% CI: 2.01, 24.83; p = 0.002). Our results suggest that the prevalence of food insecurity may have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among economically vulnerable households and people who lost income. Policies that support disadvantaged households and ensure adequate employment opportunities are important to support Australians throughout and post the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consumer Perceptions of Locally Grown Produce During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Access and consumption of regionally-grown fruit and vegetables: a pilot survey

Access to and consumption of regionally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables in Tasmania

Background: Access to and consumption of regionally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) may b... more Background: Access to and consumption of regionally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables (FFV) may be limited in agriculturally-productive regions of Tasmania, with significant health and socio-economic implications. This pilot study aimed to measure access to and consumption of regionally-grown fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) in Tasmania, and compare the results across levels of rurality. Methods: A survey measured purchasing patterns and enabling factors related to accessing and consuming regionally-grown FFV, and consumption of regionally-grown FFV as a proportion of overall FFV intake. A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted using a convenience sample of Tasmanian adults. Data were coded into ARIA remoteness categories. Chi-square statistics and one-way ANOVA compared results according to rurality. Results: Respondents (n=104, female=68%, inner-regional residing=81%, income 80,000−80,000- 80,000−100,000=52%, tertiary educated=86%) perceived regionally-grown FFV as ‘very important’ (67%). Respondents accessed regionally-grown FFV at supermarkets (96%), fruit & vegetable shops (74%), farmers markets (65%), and 74% grow their own, with no difference according to rurality. Respondents reported wanting to know where their FFV is grown (92%), and reported already knowing how to access (81%) and prepare (90%) the FFV. Financial support of community (91%) and farmers (93%) were major enabling factors. On average, 47% vegetables and 62% fruit consumed were estimated as regionally-grown, with no difference according to rurality (p>0.05). Conclusion: Respondents favoured and frequently accessed regionally-grown FFV, and they contributed a large proportion of overall FFV intake, regardless of rurality. However, respondents were highly-educated, had high income, and based in inner-regional areas, limiting the generalisability of these pilot findings.

Development of a survey to measure access to and consumption of Tasmanian regionally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables

International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Mar 27, 2023

Background Digital interventions may help address low vegetable intake in adults, however there i... more Background Digital interventions may help address low vegetable intake in adults, however there is limited understanding of the features that make them effective. We systematically reviewed digital interventions to increase vegetable intake to 1) describe the effectiveness of the interventions; 2) examine links between effectiveness and use of co-design, personalisation, behavioural theories, and/or a policy framework; and 3) identify other features that contribute to effectiveness. Methods A systematic search strategy was used to identify eligible studies from MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, INFORMIT, IEEE Xplore and Clinical Trial Registries, published between January 2000 and August 2022. Digital interventions to increase vegetable intake were included, with effective interventions identified based on statistically significant improvement in vegetable intake. To identify policy-action gaps, studies were mapped across the three domains of the NOURISHING framework (i.e., behaviour change communication, food environment, and food system). Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools for randomized, cluster randomized and non-randomized trials. Results Of the 1,347 records identified, 30 studies were included. Risk of bias was high or serious in most studies (n = 25/30; 83%). Approximately one quarter of the included interventions (n = 8) were effective at improving vegetable intake. While the features of effective and ineffective interventions were similar, embedding of behaviour change theories (89% vs 61%) and inclusion of stakeholders in the design of the intervention (50% vs 38%) were more common among effective interventions. Only one (ineffective) intervention used true co-design. Although fewer effective interventions included personalisation (67% vs 81%), the degree of personalisation varied considerably between studies. All interventions mapped across the NOURISHING framework behaviour change communication domain, with one ineffective intervention also mapping across the food environment domain. Conclusion Few digital interventions identified in this review were effective for increasing vegetable intake. Embedding behaviour change theories and involving stakeholders in intervention design may increase the likelihood of success. The under-utilisation of comprehensive co-design methods presents an opportunity to ensure that personalisation approaches better meet the needs of target populations. Moreover, future digital interventions should address both behaviour change and food environment influences on vegetable intake.

Rural nutrition and dietetics research—Future directions

Australian Journal of Rural Health

AimThe aim of this study was to summarise key evidence from recent Australian rural nutrition res... more AimThe aim of this study was to summarise key evidence from recent Australian rural nutrition research and provide recommendations for future nutrition and dietetics research with rural communities.ContextClear evidence demonstrates that diet plays a role in the health gap between rural and metropolitan Australia. Despite the opportunity to address the health of rural Australians through better nutrition, alarmingly low investment in nutrition and dietetics research has occurred historically, and over the past decade.ApproachA review of the evidence was undertaken by rural nutrition and dietetics leaders to provide a commentary piece to inform future rural nutrition research efforts.ConclusionEstablishing strong, collaborative place‐based nutrition and dietetics research teams are necessary to combat the significant gaps in the scientific knowledge of solutions to improve nutrition in rural Australia. Further, dieticians and nutritionists who live in and understand the rural context...

How do consumers define, identify, and source regionally grown fruits and vegetables? A cross-sectional study in two agricultural regions of Australia

Regional food systems are complex networks with numerous retail sources that underpin a local eco... more Regional food systems are complex networks with numerous retail sources that underpin a local economy. However, evidence is limited regarding consumer perceptions of how to define, identify, and source regionally grown fresh fruits and vegetables (RGFFV). This study aimed to determine how RGFFV are defined and identified by consumers, and where they are sourced in two agricultural regions of Australia. A cross-sectional, quantitative survey was conducted using a convenience sample of adults in Tasmania and South West Western Australia (WA). Survey data (Total n=243; Tasmania n=120, South West WA n=123) identified that consumers had mixed perceptions of how RGFFVs are defined, including produce sold at farmers markets (37%), grown within a geographic boundary (27%), available at local supermarkets (21%), and to a lesser extent, sold at farm-gates. RGFFVs were most commonly identified through product labelling (60%). Consumers reported purchasing RGFFVs at supermarkets (80%), greengrocers (68%) and farmers markets (63%), and a high proportion grow their own (67%). While supermarkets offer convenience, consumers enjoy the experience of farmers markets and growing their own produce. These findings assist in identifying gaps and opportunities for improving the consumption of fresh produce, which may positively influence regional economic growth and population health and wellbeing.

Would you like fries with that? Investigating fast‐food outlet availability near schools in Perth, Western Australia

Health Promotion Journal of Australia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

This study aimed to explore how food supply chains were impacted by COVID-19 and identify how the... more This study aimed to explore how food supply chains were impacted by COVID-19 and identify how the region could be better prepared for future crises. An online survey was completed by 107 consumers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 27 food supply stakeholders working in food production, distribution, retail, hospitality, institutions (i.e., childcare), logistics/freight and local government. Pre-COVID-19, farmer-direct distribution options and hospitality businesses comprised a substantial proportion of local food producer businesses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers favoured local food supply options, farmers collaborated, and produce usually destined for export was redirected into local markets. Critical food supply actions included keeping borders open to food freight, enhancing social capital through real-time business communication, and business flexibility. Solutions included business adaptation, for example, farmers selling produce boxes and hospitality businesse...

Employability skills can be categorised as ‘people’ or ‘soft skills’ and ‘technical’ or ‘industry... more Employability skills can be categorised as ‘people’ or ‘soft skills’ and ‘technical’ or ‘industry specific’ skills. Australian employers are increasingly seeking to employ university graduates with well-developed people skills. Evidence from industry suggests these skills, in particular communication skills are lacking in today’s graduates. The aim of this study was to raise student awareness of the importance of people skills, assess their perception of personal competence across a range of these skills and support them to develop plans that will help them strengthen these skills in preparation for graduation. An online survey was emailed to 222 first year undergraduate students; 99 were completed. Analysis of quantitative data revealed students perceived themselves to be highly competent across a range of people skills. However, qualitative data found students also identified people skills that they needed to develop further. The study findings suggest that first-year students may...

Nutrition Journal, 2022

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Australian food supply through changed consumer... more Background The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Australian food supply through changed consumer purchasing patterns, and potentially, household food security. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of food insecurity and food supply issues, and perspectives of food supply stakeholders in regional Australia. Methods A mixed-methods consumer survey and in-depth interviews with food supply stakeholders were conducted in regional Australia, more specifically South West Western Australia between May and July 2020, immediately after the 1st wave of the pandemic. Results The prevalence of food insecurity was 21% among consumers, and significantly more prevalent for those aged less than 30 years and living with a disability. Most consumers (73%) agreed that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the food supply. Food insecure respondents were more likely to report that food was more expensive, resulting in changes to the types and quantities of food bo...

PLOS Global Public Health, 2022

Addressing overconsumption of protein-rich foods from high ecological footprint sources can have ... more Addressing overconsumption of protein-rich foods from high ecological footprint sources can have positive impacts on health such as reduction of non-communicable disease risk and protecting the natural environment. With the increased attention towards development of ecologically sustainable diets, this systematic review aimed to critically review literature on effectiveness of those interventions aiming to promote protein-rich foods from lower ecological footprint sources. Five electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase and Global Health) were searched for articles published up to January 2021. Quantitative studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported on actual or intended consumption of protein-rich animal-derived and/or plant-based foods; purchase, or selection of meat/plant-based diet in real or virtual environments. We assessed 140 full-text articles for eligibility of which 51 were included in this review. The results were narratively synthesised. Inc...

Application of a sustainability framework to enhance Australian food literacy programs in remote Western Australian communities

Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 2022