I live in one of the 50 regions that the NJ Economic Development Board has declared a food desert1. This means that there isn’t easy access to health food.
Oh don’t get me wrong. Within a 15 min drive I have Walmart, Target, Shoprite, Aldi, etc. I have a car. I can get to farmer’s markets, farm stands, pick up my CSA (roll on May 13 when it starts up again) and Philadelphia is probably just under an hour away depending on traffic. I personally have lots of choices.
While I don’t struggle to get healthy food; the nearest stores are Dollar General, Wawa, and fast-food restaurants. My friends who live elsewhere have food choices that I can only dream about.
Not all of my neighbors have the same resources, especially with current gas and food prices.
Hunger in America
Over 50 million people in the United States are food insecure, or worse, which means that they often do not know where their next meal is coming from. Additionally, the food that is easily available and affordable is most likely food that is high in calories, sugar, salt and fat.
Why are people in one of the richest countries of the world going hungry?
I live in a country that doesn’t care about children dying in school from gun violence, so I guess a slow death from insufficient food is fine!
Lacking food has consequences on health, both immediately with the effects of insufficient calories and nutrients, and long-term especially on the health of children as they become adults. The food available also leads to long-term chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers2.
Many of the people who lack food live in neighborhoods that have severe environmental conditions. The poorest people have the least resources to protest about the location of a refinery, factory, or contamination of their water supply.
The Poverty Cycle
The poverty cycle3 is one way to understand what happens when we lack resources, and how people end up trapped. This is true in the US as it is in Somalia, Sudan or any other country.
If we want people to have the opportunity to fully be the person they would like to be, we need to break the poverty cycle. Support at any stage of the cycle can move people out of poverty and into a healthy successful life.
Everyone must have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Health Effects on Children
Short-term effects of food insecurity lead children to be more likely to miss school due to illness and these children are more likely to have lower grades.
“[F]ood insecurity is associated with increased risks of some birth defects, anemia, lower nutrient intakes, cognitive problems, and aggression and anxiety. It is also associated with higher risks of being hospitalized and poorer general health and with having asthma, behavioral problems, depression, suicide ideation, and worse oral health.4”
Health Effects on Adults
Long term affects of childhood food insecurity show that they as adults they will have more cardiovascular disease and higher overall death rates among those reporting food insecurity. The stress of food insecurity directly lead to inflammation and the continual release of cortisol, the stress hormone, which are indicators for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.
In addition, adults who are food insecure show signs of decreased nutrient intakes, increased depression, diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood lipid levels. They score worse on health exams, are in poor or fair health, and sleep poorly.
Seniors facing food insecurity were likely to be less active, have lower nutrient intakes, and be depressed.
Why do we let people live in such poor conditions and leave them without enough resources? This is not anything anyone would chose. I wouldn’t volunteer for that. In fact I am scared of it happening to me.
For Whom the Bell Tolls by John Donne
No man is an island, Entire of itself. Each is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less. As well as if a promontory were. As well as if a manor of thine own Or of thine friend's were. Each man's death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee.
What can we do?
Honestly the more I read about the food system, equity, and health, the more I realize that we need a basic income and better paid jobs and more opportunities for people to do what they want with their money and not have to justify getting assistance, just because their income is low.
When I think of my full fridge and the groceries I am able to buy every week I feel horror and sadness and then anger and frustration as we allowed this situation to occur. Whatever your preferred political party, the fact that we consider hungry people, especially children, a permitted outcome of our society is a horror, is inhumane.
I should be doing more to ensure that my neighbors have access to healthy fresh food options and that their air and water are safe. Their health and happiness affects mine.
Next Steps
Perhaps we could donate to or volunteer at a food bank or other local nonprofit organization. If that doesn’t feel like enough, start engaging with your political representatives, both locally and nationally.
Mercycorps, where I found the Poverty Cycle image, has some suggestions of how to help5.
Does the idea of 50 million people in the US being food insecure (800 million world wide) horrify you? Share in the comments what you will do about it.
Racism in the Food System
Data collected by the USDA Economic Research Services shows that there is a higher risk of food insecurity among people of color even when other social and economic factors are removed. To learn more about how white supremacy affects the food system, I am participating in the FSNE 21-Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge. This will be my sixth of participating and every year my knowledge expands.
I write about the intersection of food science and food systems with an emphasis on food safety, food justice and resilience. I am concerned that climate disasters and changing weather patterns are affecting our ability to eat healthy nutritious food.
I run a food safety consultancy, Food Safety Mid Atlantic, which I started in 2018 to support small and mid sized food businesses with food safety and product development. I support clients to develop a robust food safety program and to scale up their businesses while allowing them to maintain integrity with their values.
My primary goal is to support my clients so they make food at cost that is safe, tasty and compliant with federal, state, and local regulations.
If you are interested in learning more about my consulting services, please schedule a free call.
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https://www.njeda.com/njeda-board-approves-nj-food-desert-communities-designations-list/
https://www.heart.org/en/news/2021/09/22/food-insecuritys-long-term-health-consequences
https://www.mercycorps.org/blog/what-were-doing-end-global-hunger
Gundersen, C., & Ziliak, J. P. (2015). Food Insecurity And Health Outcomes. Health affairs (Project Hope), 34(11), 1830–1839. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0645
https://www.mercycorps.org/how-to-help
Thank you for all you do Cathy, such vital, vital work! I remember when i toured in the US (think it was in 2011) from Austin to New York via the southern states and i was shocked and saddened (enraged tbh) by how difficult it was to access fresh food in more deprived areas, let alone affordable fresh food. Of course, when touring you're not in a place long enough to scope out the local farmers and producers (if relevant) but it was still apparent and difficult even when having the privilege of satnav (to try to locate options) and a van on the road to access places. Many of the only options meant driving miles (sorry km) far to the next town/city which wasn't possible.
Of course, we know the pattern of food insecurity can be seen in other countries too (i grew up on council estates in the uk for some time) and at the time of this trip i was living in Norway where of course, minimal stuff grows and there's heaps imported (and also super expensive). But this trip was an experience i'll never forget and sad that food poverty and insecurity continues to soar in this world. Rage and deep sighs and also appreciation again for your work. Thank you for this post - sorry for the essay comment! 💜