This study explores an alternative definition of food access based on the temporal distance to foods to predict household food insecurity. Specifically, the study 1) assesses the household-level time distance of food access and 2) examines how well it predicts household food insecurity compared to the existing food access measures. This study follows an innovative use of time-diary data to approximate the required travel time for food acquisition, initially proposed by Hamrick and Hopkins (2012). Time distance is hypothesized to be a superior predictor of household food insecurity than the existing food access indicators based on physical distance and location. The study attempts to understand better the food access problem experienced by vulnerable consumers and households. By offering an alternate measure of the barriers to food access, findings from this study can assist policymaking and other public and private efforts that aim to enhance the health and well-being of consumers and households.

Accepted Oral Presentation