Campus News

New Survey to Guide Strategic Plan for Reducing Food Insecurity in Huntingdon County

(Posted July 9, 2025)

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McKenzie Kapuschinsky '26

McKenzie Kapuschinsky '26

HUNTINGDON, Pa.–A new survey will offer insight into the issue of food insecurity locally and provide the Huntingdon County Food Council with critical data to address the growing needs.   

“The goal of this project is to learn about where and how residents of Huntingdon County access their food supply in addition to barriers that may make it difficult for some residents to access an adequate diet,” said Alisha Grove, special projects coordinator for the Center for Community Action (CCA). “This information, combined with an inventory of the resources that are already established within the county, will help the Huntingdon County Food Council develop a five-year strategic plan to address the gaps in food access that are brought to light through the survey.”  

McKenzie Kapuschinsky, a Juniata College senior administering the survey this summer, describes food insecurity as an issue affecting 47 million people across the United States — but it may not look the same for everyone.   

“Many people who are struggling with food insecurity might not even place themselves in that category. There are a lot of misunderstandings about what food insecurity is. Food insecurity can look like being short on resources in your home, or whether you have time to cook, or the resources you need to cook,” said Kapuschinsky. “Transportation can also be a barrier for many people. Simply being able to get to a grocery store can be a challenge if transportation isn’t readily available.”  

Nutrition is also a factor in navigating food insecurity.  

“Certain foods that are better for your health tend to be on the more expensive side, so that cost can impact choices,” she said. “Some who have families are going hungry so they can feed their kids or feel like a good, healthy, and balanced diet isn’t in their budget.”  

Kapuschinsky is serving in a summer research internship with her advisor, Lee Ann DeShong-Cook, assistant professor of social work at Juniata College, and working in partnership with the CCA.   

Data collected from the survey will help the Huntingdon County Food Council understand the extent of food insecurity in Huntingdon County and allow evaluation of residents’ access to food resources.   

“We should be able to see what is working and what isn’t working,” said Kapuschinsky. “And this will provide the Huntingdon County Food Council with what they need to know to help people who are experiencing food insecurity.”  

The survey will be distributed through various methods, including QR codes and postcards, and will run through August. Those who complete the survey will have the chance to win a $20 gift card to Sheetz.   

“It is our hope to expand upon what is already in place to assist with access to food for residents and possibly develop new alternative strategies to get healthy, adequate food supplies into Huntingdon County homes,” said Grove. “We aim to lower the food insecurity rate of Huntingdon County, which, as of today, is sitting above the national average. We need to work together to ensure that our neighbors are fed and that parents are not struggling to put food on the table for their children.”  

The work is funded through a grant received by CCA from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.  

For more information, please contact Alisha Grove at (814)643-4202, ext. 4132, or agrove@ccaofpa.org.   

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.