Shows  Rural Lifestyle Shows  Rural Health Matters

Rural Health Matters: Navigating Nutrition in ‘Food Deserts’

Dr. Jeffrey Gold discuss nutrition challenges in rural communities, barriers to healthy food access, and ways to improve dietary outcomes this week on Rural Health Matters.

March 19, 2026 01:34 PM • 
Marion Kirkpatrick, RFD NEWS STAFF
southwest_arizona desert sunset catus_adobe stock.png

Adobe Stock

OMAHA, NEB. (RFD NEWS) — Nutrition remains a top concern for many consumers, especially in rural communities where barriers to meeting dietary needs can be more pronounced. Dr. Jeffrey Gold, president of the University of Nebraska, joined us for this week’s Rural Health Matters segment to discuss challenges surrounding nutrition in rural areas.

In his conversation with RFD News, Dr. Gold addressed whether rural populations face greater difficulty meeting their dietary needs than their urban counterparts. He also discussed the concept of “food deserts” and ways individuals and communities can work to improve access to healthier food options.

Finally, Dr. Gold shared final thoughts on the importance of prioritizing nutrition and finding practical ways to support healthier lifestyles in rural America.

For those with questions or seeking guidance on rural health, nutrition and rural food security, Dr. Gold welcomes you to reach out via email at [email protected].

Related Stories
Cf9yLNML.jpg
National FFA Organization
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Professor Matt Kreifels Honored With FFA Outstanding Achievement Award
University of Nebraska–Lincoln ag educator Matt Kreifels discusses his recent FFA Alumni award and the future of ag education.
December 16, 2025 01:16 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
Ss1D6dX8.jpg
Business
Music City Celebration Cattle Sale Celebrates Another Year of Success
Tim and Sharyn Abbott of the Music City Celebration Sale recap the weekend’s premier auction, which drew top dairy breeders and buyers to Nashville again this year from across North America.
December 16, 2025 11:54 AM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
eRMF56Vq.jpg
Machinery
Save the Date: Get Ready for the 27th Annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade!
Plans are underway for the 27th annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade, a June event celebrating farm heritage, tractor history, and rural traditions. Event manager Matt Kenney joins us to highlight the importance of commemorating farm heritage.
December 15, 2025 02:02 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
6bfEtnNC.jpg
Sustainability
Landowner Victory in North Dakota Raises Questions for Carbon Capture Infrastructure Nationwide
Farm Legal Expert Roger McEowen with the Washburn School of Law joins us to share more about the North Dakota court decision and the its larger impact on agriculture.
December 15, 2025 01:47 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
LCR1Falw.jpg
Markets
StoneX: Tariff Threat on Canadian Fertilizer Could Disrupt U.S. Supply and Prices
Fertilizer markets face uncertainty after President Trump raised the possibility of tariffs on Canadian imports, with analysts warning of supply and pricing risks. Josh Linville with StoneX provides a fertilizer industry outlook.
December 15, 2025 01:35 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
nskls1ur.jpg
On The Record
On the Record | Cody Johnson chose to get gas over feeding himself when he only had $100
December 15, 2025 12:39 PM
 · 
Currey McCullough
Load More

Health Ag Education & Resources
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion Kirkpatrick
Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

winter weather outlook 1280.jpg
Weather News
Winter Storm 2026: Ag Impacts — Midwest
Brooks York with AgriSompo joined us with his outlook on crop insurance and risk management following the recent winter storm that tore through most of the United States, including the Midwest.
January 26, 2026 03:30 PM
 · 
RFD NEWS STAFF
cattle 1280x720 (1).jpg
Livestock
Cattle-on-Feed Report Shows Tighter Supply Ahead
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.
January 23, 2026 04:40 PM
 · 
Tony St. James
porter road box overhead shot.png
USDA
Better for Butchery: USDA Strengthens Local Meat Processing Capacity with Kentucky Facility Acquisition
USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
January 23, 2026 03:39 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
T1WriNFi.jpg
Rural Money
Rural Money: Navigating Recent Court Ruling on Self-Employment Tax for Limited Partners
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer joined us to break down the recent Fifth Circuit Court decision overturning a prior Tax Court decision on self-employment tax for limited partners, the ruling’s impact on farmers, and potential next steps in Congress.
January 23, 2026 02:00 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
CqOE9cbW.jpg
Washington Policy
Americans for Prosperity Arkansas: Modernizing Rural Infrastructure Without Raising Costs
Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Director Ryan Norris talks energy infrastructure, regulatory reform, and the role of critical minerals in supporting rural America.
January 23, 2026 01:54 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
WUFR5fEv.jpg
Feel Good Stories
Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Winner Eyes Future in the Beef Industry
Pennsylvania Farm Show scholarship recipient Elizabeth Dice discusses her award, her background in farming, and her path forward in the agriculture industry.
January 23, 2026 01:48 PM
 · 
Marion Kirkpatrick
Load More
More Shows
Rodeo Austin - large Charolaise bull in a country show
Rodeo Austin Livestock Show
Each spring, Rodeo Austin welcomes junior livestock exhibitors and horse show exhibitors to the annual Fair and Rodeo typically held in March. On average more than 9,000 exhibitors compete to enhance their agricultural education. Rodeo Austin is proud to provide these opportunities for youth to succeed.
March 03, 2026 12:36 PM
Untitled design - 1
Stock Shows
It’s one of our favorite times of the year – Winter Stock Show Season! And to celebrate the hard work of the future of agriculture, we’re streaming live from some of the biggest livestock shows in Texas.
February 05, 2026 10:55 AM
Untitled design - 1
San Antonio Stock Show
Through scholarships, grants, endowments, junior livestock auctions, calf scramble program and show premiums, The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo impacts over 22,000 youth in Texas annually.
January 27, 2026 04:17 PM
Untitled design - 1
San Angelo Stock Show
Dedicated to preserving the western way of life and promoting agricultural education to the Youth of Texas, the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo Association works year round to continue to bring top notch events to the West Texas Area.
January 27, 2026 04:09 PM
TwistedSkillet_SeanWithGrill-Smiling_1920x1080.jpg
Twisted Skillet
Twisted Skillet brings a straightforward, hands-on approach to kitchen television, rooted in food and fire. Hosted by Texas chef Sean Koehler, the series explores open-fire outdoor cooking techniques, regional ingredients, and the people who raise, prepare, and inspire the food found across America.
January 19, 2026 10:25 AM
CLAAS-OutsideCorporateBuilding_1920x1080.jpg
CLAAS: Made for More
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
January 15, 2026 04:33 PM
OutbackFarm_HdrGraphic_wLogo_1920x1080.jpg
Outback Farm
In the harsh Australian Outback, water drillers Danyelle and Anthony Haigh give up their nomadic life of searching for water for cattle ranches, to offer their two sons, Heath and Theo, a more settled life. They swap water drilling for something they’ve never done before – farming.
December 22, 2025 03:24 PM
GGHFWC_Hdr-AnalieseOnFarm01-wLogo_1920x1080 copy.jpg
A Girl’s Guide to Hunting, Fishing, and Wild Cooking
Analiese Gregory is taking one of the biggest risks of her life: she’s left her successful career as a restaurant chef and bought a century-old cottage at the bottom of the world, in pristine Tasmania, Australia. We share her journey of discovery as she gets under the skin of her new home – and learns to live seasonally off the land, by hunting, fishing, and foraging.
December 22, 2025 03:08 PM
Summit Cup
The fourth and final event in Major League Fishing’s Fishing Clash Team Series. Catch the final round each day LIVE only on RFD-TV.
November 04, 2025 12:54 PM
GoodTaste_WineBkgd-Logo_1920x1080.jpg
Goodtaste with Tanji
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Tanji Patton, “Goodtaste with Tanji” focuses on chefs and popular dishes from restaurants across the culinary spectrum, along with wines, cocktails, and spirits, too. As a travelogue, the show visits restaurants, diners, and eateries across the Lone Star State in fun and adventurous settings, plus the program occasionally travels to neighboring states like Louisiana and New Mexico. In addition, the show educates viewers on wine pairings and value buys available in current wine trends.
October 29, 2025 01:11 PM