Growing Hunger: The Fight for Food Security in America Food security is defined as having physical and financial access to food that satisfies all the necessary dietary needs. According to the United States Agency for International Development, over 800 million people go to bed hungry every single night. Climate change is only worsening the matter. As the Earth becomes hotter, it gets harder to grow certain crops and ensure that they are regularly watered. Extreme weather has ravaged land that could have been used for agriculture. Many experts say that climate change, paired with the threat of overpopulation, could cause major problems for food security. So what can we do about it? This month, we want to shine a light on the fight for food security in the U.S. There are a lot of ways that you can create a difference on your campus and in your personal life.
Reduce Waste
Grow Your Own
Think Green
Based on statistics from Feeding America, a leading hunger-relief organization, 108 billion pounds of food is wasted each year in the United States. Put another way, that’s $161 billion worth of food being thrown out. Food waste doesn’t stop at the trash can; crops left out on the field, vegetables damaged during transportation and fruit that retailers turn away because of their appearance are all considered food waste. Reducing waste guarantees that food is going to as many people and as little landfills as possible. Food that would otherwise be wasted could be sent to food banks and pantries that provide for people in need. Next time, save that leftover food from the dining hall for a later meal,
Houseplants are a dorm room musthave, but it’s even better when they’re edible! With a little bit of sunlight and fertilizer, you (and your roommate) can grow your own fruits, vegetables and herbs from your dorm room. From strawberries to basil, there are countless foods that can be successfully grown at home! Growing your own food has lots of added benefits than just reducing food waste. Growing food at home reduces your carbon footprint, cleans the air in your room, saves money and gives you tons of nutrients. The food you harvest can also be shared with family and friends to give everyone
Climate change threatens agricultural systems worldwide. Environmental toxins, including pollution and pesticides, are harmful to animals and could potentially be linked to numerous illnesses in humans. Caring for the environment is a great way to take care of your food, too! Eating locally is a great way to start thinking green. When food is imported from other countries, the transportation methods do a lot of damage on the planet. Eating locally not only supports small businesses, but reduces the amount of carbon emissions released into the air. In addition to eating locally, recycling, saving water and electricity, carpooling and reusing containers are simple ways to care for the environment. By taking care of the planet, we can continue providing food for those in need.
and not for the trash.
a taste!
