Journal of Food Security, 2015, Vol. 3, No. 4, 99-106 Available online at http://pubs.sciepub.com/jfs/3/4/2 © Science and Education Publishing DOI:10.12691/jfs-3-4-2 Resources Enabled to Assist the Community and Hunger (REACH): A Community Food Security Needs Assessment Kelly Brasseur 1,* , Amy D. Ozier 2 , Rachel McBride 2 , Alicia Powell 2 , Ellen Ratliff 2 , Ping Yao 3 , Calvin Min Hua Leong 1 , Josephine Umoren 2 1 Nutrition and Network Programs, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Geneva, USA 2 Nutrition and Dietetics, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, USA 3 Public Health & Health Education, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, USA *Corresponding author: kbrasseur@northernilfoodbank.org Abstract Food security is an indicator of a town’s vitality. Northern Illinois Food Bank, Northern Illinois University, and the rural town of of Rochelle, saw a need to identify what the current food security status was to help bridge gaps for the underserved. The purpose of this community food security needs assessment was to determine (1) the perceptions of food security, (2) awareness of existing resources available to the underserved, (3) how well these resources were able to serve those in need, and (4) if there was a need to strengthen current resources. Additionally, perceived barriers to food security related to the accessibility, availability, and affordability of food were also addressed. This mixed-methods design used focus groups and surveys. Key stakeholders, gatekeepers, and community residents were targeted for various sampling methods. The focus group data was analyzed using Krueger’s Methodology. Survey data used descriptive statistics to summarize demographic variables. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used to test the internal consistency of self-efficacy items, and crosstab analysis by Pearson’s chi-square test examined associations among categorical variables. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test the association between perception of barriers and motivators and age, gender, education level, employment status and number of children in household. Multiple linear regression was used to detect associations between risk factors and self-efficacy. Life skills are a necessity to this community in overcoming food insecurity. Self-efficacy was compromised related to eating healthier; however, there was an evident desire to receive nutrition education. Community members would like to see more programs and services offered in addition to food assistance programs, such as job and life skills training, and perhaps all located in the same place that is easily accessible for community members. Implications for future research and community collaborations derived from this community-based participatory research process are discussed. Keywords: food security, affordability, availability, accessibility, needs assessment Cite This Article: Kelly Brasseur, Amy D. Ozier, Rachel McBride, Alicia Powell, Ellen Ratliff, Ping Yao, Calvin Min Hua Leong, and Josephine Umoren, “Resources Enabled to Assist the Community and Hunger (REACH): A Community Food Security Needs Assessment.” Journal of Food Security, vol. 3, no. 4 (2015): 99- 106. doi: 10.12691/jfs-3-4-2. 1. Introduction Food insecurity is defined as “the uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited ability to acquire food in socially acceptable ways” [1]. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), 14.3% of U.S. households and 20% of U.S. households with children were food insecure in 2013 [2]. This translates to 49.1 million households that experienced limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods at some time during the year because of insufficient money or other resources. Food insecurity is dynamic as it has biopsychosocial impacts on individuals. Food insecurity has been linked with adverse health outcomes including developmental delays, higher anxiety and aggression in children, malnutrition, chronic disease, maternal obesity, poor maternal mental status, and depression [3]. The U.S. economic and healthcare systems are negatively impacted by food insecurity as poor health status can translate to more sick days, lower productivity, lower human capital and increases in health care utilization [3]. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs identifies that basic needs (food, shelter, water) serve as the foundation of personal and exponential growth (self-fulfillment) [4]. Maslow stated that people are self- motivated to achieve certain needs, however, it’s only when one need is fulfilled that a person seeks to fulfill the next one [4]. Thus, at the physiological level, a lack of food and constant hunger can negatively impact an individual’s growth and stability and ultimately impact his or her ability to achieve the next level of safety. Within safety, one can achieve security of job and resources. This