Area of Expertise Lead for Food Assistance and Nutrition
B.A., communications, California State University, Fullerton; graduate studies in business and organizational communications, California State University, Fullerton
Loren Bell is a nationally known expert in food assistance and nutrition education program policy and program operations. He has more than 25 years experience working with the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Food Stamp Programs at the state and national levels.
Under Mr. Bell's leadership, Altarum Institute has emerged as a leading provider of technical assistance and evaluation services in the area of food assistance and nutrition education programs. He has managed a number of projects, including two studies examining the food purchasing patterns of WIC clients; four food stamp nutrition education technical assistance and evaluation projects; two national studies of WIC vendor management practices; a needs assessment of adolescents participating in the WIC program; and a national study of how States have reengineered their Food Stamp Programs as a result of welfare reform.
In addition, Mr. Bell has managed a number of technical assistance efforts, including projects to help states revise how local WIC agencies are funded; conducting assessments for states developing participant-centered nutrition education in their WIC programs; and assisting states with using program data for improved program management. Mr. Bell has also directed an effort for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to examine the link between obesity, poverty, and participation in food assistance programs.
For 11 years, Mr. Bell directed the Washington State WIC Program. He received three national awards from the USDA for this work. Mr. Bell also held senior management positions in the California Department of Health.
Bell holds a bachelor's degree in communications and undertook graduate studies in business and organizational communications at California State University, Fullerton.
Areas of Expertise
Food Assistance and Nutrition
Obesity
Technical Assistance