Dealing with Disparities in Food Acquisition Among Refugees (DDFAR) is a two-year pilot research project (2016-2018) that explores the influence of social, environmental, cultural and personal determinants on food acquisition practices among Americans from Burma living in Buffalo, New York. Working in partnership with a community advisory group (CAG), the research team is documenting the ways in which Americans from Burma access culturally acceptable foods, their perception of health risks, and how they are changing the food environment in the city of Buffalo. Funded in part by the University at Buffalo’s Community of Excellence in Global Health Equity (CGHE), DDFAR utilizes a transdisciplinary approach, engaging team members from diverse disciplines including urban and regional planning (Dr. Samina Raja and Alex Judelsohn), public health (Dr. Heather Orom), social work (Dr. Isok Kim), and medicine (Dr. Roberto Diaz del Carpio). CAG members include representatives of the Burmese and Karen communities as well as organizations that serve refugee communities.

Members of the Community Advisory Group:

• Melissa Fratello (Grassroots Gardens of Western New York)
• Daniel Lawd (Karen Society of Buffalo)
• Chan Myae Thu (community health worker)
• Jeff Oglieve (Journey’s End Refugee Services)
• Steven Sanyu (Burmese Community Services, Inc.)
• Win Min Thant (Buffalo State Community Academic Center)
• Zaw Win (WASH Project)

Ongoing contributor and volunteer, Rosie DeVito, MPH graduate.