** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** FOOD INSECURITY VULNERABILITY IS A HOUSEHOLD'S PROBABILITY AT ANY GIVEN TIME TO EXPERIENCE FOOD INSECURITY, WHICH IS UNCERTAIN OR UNPREDICTABLE ACCESS TO FOOD. FOOD INSECURITY IS A CONDITION THAT RESULTS FROM A LACK OF ACCESS, MONEY, AND OTHER RESOURCES FOR FOOD, IMPACTING 11% OF US HOUSEHOLDS. THIS PREDOCTORAL RESEARCH STUDY USES CENSUS DATA AND GROCERY STORE SURVEYS TO MAP FOOD INSECURITY VULNERABILITY. THIS IS DONE BY 1) CREATING A FOOD INSECURITY VULNERABILITY INDEX AT THE CENSUS LEVEL AND 2) SURVEYING STORES IN RURAL AREAS FOR THE TYPES OF FOODS AVAILABLE AND THEIR QUALITY AND PRICE. THE LONG-TERM GOAL OF THIS STUDY IS TO CREATE A METHODOLOGY THAT CAN IMPROVE MINORITY HEALTH AND REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES CAUSED BY FOOD INSECURITY BY IDENTIFYING VARIABLES THAT INCREASE VULNERABILITY TO FOOD INSECURITY. BY PILOTING THIS METHODOLOGY IN ONE STATE, THIS STUDY IS A CRUCIAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP THE RESEARCHER'S SKILLS TO EXPAND THIS RESEARCH NATIONALLY. IT ALSO ALIGNS WITH USDA'S STRATEGIC GOAL TO MAKE SAFE, NUTRITIOUS FOOD AVAILABLE TO ALL AMERICANS.