Judi BartfeldMeta Schroeder Beckner Outreach Professor; Food Security Research and Policy Specialist

I study the problems of hunger and food insecurity in the United States, including patterns, causes, consequences, and solutions, with a particular interest in the role of food assistance programs and policies. I also have an appointment with UW–Madison Division of Extension, where I work to make food security data and research available, understandable, and actionable to non-academics.
My work has generated significant investments to support local, state, and national research in the areas of food insecurity and food assistance programs. I also collaborate on grants that support my research on child support, child placement, and the economic well-being of divorced parents. Over the years, I have published numerous peer-reviewed articles as well as dozens of local and state policy reports on these topics. My past leadership of the RIDGE program helped to cultivate a nationwide network of junior scholars in the food security area, and was recognized with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary’s Honor Award (2014).

Select publications

Bartfeld, J., Berger, L., and Men, F. (2019). Universal access to free school meals through the Community Eligibility Provision is associated with better attendance for low-income elementary school students in Wisconsin. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (forthcoming).

Bartfeld, J., Berger, L., Men, F., and Chen, Y. (2019). Access to the School Breakfast Program is associated with higher attendance and test scores among elementary school students. Journal of Nutrition 149(2):336-343.

Bartfeld, J. and Men, F. (2017). Food insecurity among households with children: the role of the state economic and policy context. Social Service Review 91(4):691-732.

Bartfeld, J. and Collins, J.M. (2017). Food insecurity, financial shocks, and financial coping strategies among households with elementary school children in Wisconsin. Journal of Consumer Affairs 51(3): 519-548.

Bartfeld, J., Gundersen, C., Smeeding, T., and Ziliak, J. (Eds.). (2015). SNAP Matters: How Food Stamps Affect Health and Well-Being. Redwood City, CA: Stanford University Press.