DEAR FRIENDS,
When we read and talk about nutrition, we not only focus on what is best for our own body and health but also on how healthy food and the lack of it affects others.
The events of the past few months: the global pandemic, quarantines and shelter-in-home advisories, the closing of schools, economic instability and the resulting rise in unemployment, have all brought about an increase in food insecurity in the United States. Food insecurity (according to FeedingAmerica.org) is defined as a “lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.” When households need to make trade-offs between paying rent or medical bills and buying nutritious food - this is food insecurity.
According to The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution (click here), at the end of April, more than one in five households in the United States, and two in five households of mothers with children age 12 and under, were food insecure. In many households, the children experienced food insecurity.
This is happening in our own backyard. According to 2018 statistics by Feeding America (click here), 10.9% of Pennsylvania’s population was food insecure. In Delaware County, this percentage was 9.4%; Chester County 6.3%; and Philadelphia County a staggering 16.3%. These numbers are probably much higher now, taking into account the effects of COVID19.
With federal assistance having a hard time keeping up with demand, the NY Times reports (click here) that families are turning to food banks for much-needed sources of food. Food banks receive some help from the government, but over 51% of food banks in the US rely solely on volunteers to operate them.
So, most importantly, how can we help with food insecurity in our communities?
Spoon University (click here), a resource/food community on college campuses, lists five ways we can help battle food insecurity and malnutrition:
Donate to Feeding America. Feeding America (click here) is a network of food banks dedicated to reducing hunger in communities nationwide, including the Philadelphia area. Every dollar counts! A one-time donation of $25 provides meals to a child for 3 months.
Donate to your local food bank or food pantry. (click here) to find food banks or pantries in your area. Also, Feeding America has a search function here .
Start a food drive. Get your friends, family, neighbors, and others to join you in a food drive. Look at Move for Hunger’s tips (click here) on starting your own drive.
Volunteer. Your time will be invaluable to a food bank and its recipients. Check out Feeding America’s website (click here) on how to get started. Over 51% of food banks rely entirely on volunteers!
Contact your federal, state, county, and local elected officials about food policy. Legislation is involved with every step of how food gets from the farm to the fork. Not sure how to get started? GovTrack (click here) offers a list of bills related to agriculture and food currently in process. Contact (click here) your senators and congressmen and women voicing the need to eliminate food insecurity in America. For help crafting your email or phone message, here is a great resource (click here).
Let’s take action - with kindness and compassion - and do what we can to help our communities and fellow human beings!
Inspiring you to health and wellness,