Community Nutrition Laboratory

Our research focuses on improving nutrition, health, and quality of life of low-income population through community-based nutrition interventions.

News

Recent Awards

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Gold Author Recognition Award, 2023, Jung Sun Lee

National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, Social Media Education Award 2nd Place State Winner, 3rd Place Regional Winner, as part of the University of Georgia SNAP-Ed (Drink Water, Georgia! a statewide Social Marketing Campaign), 2023

Bobbi Meeler Sahm Service and Outreach Award, University of Georgia, Office of Vice President for Service and Outreach, 2022

Maxine F. and Arlene M. Wilson Scholarship, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2021, Darci Bell

National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, Program Excellence Through Research Award 1st Place National Winner and 1st Place Southern Region Winner ("A Systematic Evaluation guides the development of UGA SNAP-Ed Social Marketing"), 2020, UGA SNAP-Ed

Georgia Athletic Association Professorship in Family and Consumer Sciences, 2019, Jung Sun Lee

Sharon Boone Hamner Foods and Nutrition Scholarship, College of FACS, 2019, Darci Bell

National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, Program Social Media- Online Video Category Award 3rd Place Southern Region Winner and 1st State Winner (“Sweet Deceit”), 2018, UGA SNAP-Ed

The Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine DPG’s Public Policy Workshop Stipend, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 2018, Taylor Newman

Doe H. Harden Scholarship, College of FACS, 2018, Nick Slagel

Creswell Travel Award, College of FACS and Department of Foods and Nutrition, 2018, Taylor Newman

Virginia Wilbanks Kilgore Scholarship, Department of Foods and Nutrition, 2018, Taylor Newman

Faculty Poster Award. Inaugural GaCTSA Conference, 2018, Jung Sun Lee, Edda Cotto-Rivera, Lynn Bailey, Deborah Murray

Chris Todd Outstanding Outreach Award, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2017, UGA SNAP-Ed

Joint Korean Society of Community Nutrition and Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior’s Achievement Award, 2017, Jung Sun Lee

Endsley-Peifer Student Research Award from FACS, 2017, Sarah Stotz

Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior ACPP Health Promotion Policy Award, The Georgia CAFE project, 2016, Members of the project team include Jung Sun Lee, Temitope Walker and Mary Ann Johnson

Mary Erlanger Graduate Fellowship for the 2016-2017 academic year, UGA Graduate School, 2016, Temitope Walker

Bill and June Flatt Outstanding Extension and Outreach Faculty Award, UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2016, Jung Sun Lee

View all Foods and Nutrition Awards

Projects

  • Investigators:
    Lee, Jung Sun; Cotwright, Caree; Bales, Diane; Shannon, Jerry; Penn, Allisen

    The goal of UGA SNAP-Ed is to help low-income adult Georgians establish healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle through evidence-based nutrition education and obesity prevention interventions based on collective capacity of UGA and the UGA Cooperative Extension. Since reestablished in 2013, the UGA SNAP-Ed has been developing, implementing, and evaluation innovative, culturally appropriate multilevel interventions using a unique model combining robust interdisciplinary research, outreach, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the state. UGA SNAP-Ed provides nutrition education through face-to-face, online, social marketing, and Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) interventions. 

    Website: https://foodtalk.org/

    Funding Source:
    USDA SNAP-Ed Grant (Since 2013)

  • Investigator:
    Lee, Jung Sun; Shannon, Jerry; Berg, Ali; Borron, Abigail

    Description:
    This study aims to examine the feasibly of establishing datasets and research methods to assess the availability, accessibility, and use of charitable food assistance programs alone or in combination with SNAP in Georgia. The overarching goal of this project is to identify strategies to improve equitable and effective food assistance for Georgians while using the best available secondary datasets and primary data collected from Georgians with critical food assistance needs. This study employs a mixed methods study design and included 1) development of a statewide active agency and program list, 2) geospatial analysis of primary and secondary data, 3) statewide online or paper surveys with food bank partner agencies and clients, and 4) focus groups with select partner agency providers in the identified underserved Georgia communities.

    Funding Source:
    USDA FNS, GA DHS (2023)

  • Investigators:
    Lee, Jung Sun; Bhargava, Vibha; Smith, Travis; Walker, Temitope

    Description:
    The goal of this project is to examine the temporal and spatial usage patterns of assistance programs and healthcare as well as the effect of nutrition assistance program participation on food insecurity and health care utilization in low-income older Georgians. This study establishes and uses a comprehensive statewide longitudinal dataset based on ongoing and expanded collaborations among UGA, state government offices including, GA Division of Aging Services (GA DAS) and Division of Family and Children Services (GA DFCS), and GA Department of Community Health, and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. The findings learned from this study will inform evidence-based practices, programs, and guidelines to address food insecurity and related burden of ever-increasing older populations.

    Funding Source:

    USDA FNS/ University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research Grant (2019-2022)

    UGA AES Grant/ USDA NIFA Hatch Project Grant (2018-2022)

  • Investigators:
    Lee, Jung Sun, Johnson, Mary Ann; Lindbloom, Nancy

    Description:

    The goal of this project is to help low-income older and disabled Georgians access food through assistance in obtaining benefits from SNAP. Georgia CAFE was originally developed and pilot-tested in the Athens area in 2010 based on collaborations among UGA Department of Foods and Nutrition, Georgia Legal Services Program, state and local GA DFCS, and GA DAS and Aging Services Network. Initial efforts were to develop and validate an advocate training program and to establish best practice models for sustainable SNAP advocate training and application assistance tailored to the unique needs of various community partners serving low-income older and disabled Georgians.Georgia CAFE has been training more than 100 SNAP advocates and the training models now serve low-income older Georgians in nearly 30 urban and rural counties in Georgia to help them apply and receive SNAP benefits.

    Georgia CAFE’s efforts have been expanded to include policy analysis and advocacy to streamline the SNAP application and verification process for older Georgians with a focus on the SNAP medical expense deduction.Georgia CAFÉ provided research and practice evidence for GA DFCS to develop, submit, and obtain federal approval for SNAP Standard Medical Expense Deduction (SMED) policy effective Oct 1, 2015. This new policy change will affect approximately 27% of the 1.8 million Georgians receiving SNAP in Georgia

    Website: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/fdn/georgia-cafe

    Funding Source:
    USDA FNS SNAP Outreach Grant (2012-2017), GA Division of Aging Services

Our Team

Contact

Jung Sun Lee

Location

138 Barrow Hall

Learn more about UGA SNAP-Ed at www.foodtalk.org

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