June 24, 2018

His Kingdom Come: Stuffed and Starved (Overview)



"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10


The food system hits close to home for me. While I had been exposed to some of its injustices in the past, my spring semester's public health nutrition class gave me the opportunity to learn more deeply about the complexity and wide-reach of food.

What we eat is intimately connected to our agriculture, which has tremendous impacts on ecological balance, immigration, animal/human rights, environmental toxicity, and politics. What we produce inevitably influences our grocery stores, our physical and financial access to food, the foodservice industry, international trade, transportation, culture, health and nutrition. What's produced but not consumed transforms to issues related to food waste.

Thinking about the problems caused by our broken food system is crippling, and this paralysis extends to all of the social justice issues our world faces. Children have been cruelly ripped apart from their parents. My hometown is currently divided on a proposal to introduce armed police officers to public schools. My university faced violence, open and repeated acts of intolerance, and tragic death this past year. Last summer, I met cancer patients who struggled with their disease, other chronic illnesses, emotional pain, food insecurity, and immigration issues -all at once.

One day in class, my Spanish professor initiated a spontaneous, class-long discussion about the discrimination our campus was facing. Before we left with heavy hearts, he looked at each of us squarely and said, "Chicos, no sean complacientes." Don't be complacent.

But what can we do in addition to praying? What actions can we take right now?




"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." Galations 5:13


This is my hope in beginning this series, "His Kingdom Come". God invites us to go beyond our comfort zones and personal problems to restore justice. I hope that I can open your hearts to some issues and provide direction for action-centered initiatives.

Each blog post will be focused more or less on one issue, broad or specific, linked to the food system. I'll bluntly share some of the surprising data I've learned to bring us all up to date on the reality of our broken world. Then I'll share ways in which you can get involved and do your part; these ways will span the entire socioecological model (shown below), because a variety of strategies are needed - from grass roots level to national advocacy. Lastly, a list of resources for more information will be provided if you'd like to dive into the topic a bit deeper.



Stuffed and Starved
Let's kick the series off with a closer look at the ironic coexistence of obesity and hunger.


The Bad and The Ugly:

  • The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimated that 815 million people (11% of the global population) suffer from chronic hunger in 2016 [1].
  • In the same year, the World Health Organization (WHO) approximated that over 1.9 billion adults (18+ years) and 380 million children (0-19 years) were overweight or obese. The 1.9 billion adults represented 39% of the global population [2]. 
  • In the U.S., 12.3% of households were food insecure while 40% of adults were obese (not just overweight) [3, 4]. 


As you can see, the coexistence of obesity and hunger is not simply due to the coexistence of first and third world countries. This irony is demonstrated within our own country and can be faced by the same individual. While chronic hunger and malnourishment may be less visible in the U.S., food insecurity (a lack of dignified, stable, nutritionally adequate, and sufficient access to food for all members in a household) is significant. 

Someone who doesn't have enough money for food is forced to buy the most calories they can afford. It's logical, and you can't blame them for that. After watching Food, Inc. for the first time, I couldn't erase the memory of hearing a father regretfully tell his daughter that they couldn't buy the broccoli she requested because a pound costed over $1. A dollar's worth of broccoli wouldn't adequately satisfy her hunger like a $1 McDonald's burger would.

Walking into a grocery store will quickly prove to you that the cheapest items tend to be highly processed, full of added sugars, salt, and unhealthy fat. We'll explore why that is in a future blogpost, but here's some additional information about food insecurity and the inevitable health disparities linked to socioeconomic status:
  • The U.S. does not produce enough (in quantity and variety) fruits and vegetables for Americans to meet the Dietary Guidelines (nutrition recommendations that help individuals consume a healthy diet to meet their nutrient needs and maintain good health) [6]. 
  • The National School Lunch program, which provides reduced price or free lunches to qualified students, is partially funded by food stamp (now called SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) budget cuts [7]. How can you feed kids at school but not protect their right to be fed at home? 
  • Emergency food programs are chronically used. The "S" in SNAP stands for supplemental, so the program and commodities given are not designed to adequately meet an individual's nutrient needs, but many recipients are relying on these programs as their sole sources for food [8]. 
  • In Tompkins County, where the city of Ithaca is located, nearly 100% of single mothers are food insecure [9 - see below]. 
Affordability is only one factor impacting food access. What about the physical existence of supermarkets? In our diverse country, not everyone will find culturally appropriate foods in a gas station convenience store. Not everybody lives within 10 miles of a supermarket ("food desert"). If they're lucky enough to be near any food retail outlet, they might be limited to fast food and chain restaurants ("food swamp").  

What about transportation and access to a grocery store? If it costs someone living in poverty $5 to take a bus to the grocery store, where they can only leave with as many bags as they can carry by hand, is it any surprise that they'd rather go to the local dollar store and buy pasta and canned goods? If someone is working two jobs just to make rent, will they have time to buy, wash, cut, and cook fresh produce? Will they have the kitchen space, kitchen tools, running water, and gas/electricity, let alone time and energy? 

Food assistance programs, run by the government and by charities, are necessary resources, but they're insufficient for the individual. Plus, they are reactive, rather than preventative. 
  • 25% of Americans participate in federal food assistance programs [10 - see below]. Eligibility for some are stricter, so about 30% of food insecure individuals do not receive any federal food assistance benefits. [11]
  • SNAP benefits average $1.40 per person, per meal [11]. How much does the average tall Starbucks coffee cost?
  • About 50% of infants born in the U.S. are born into low income families with household incomes below 185% of the poverty-income ratio, making them eligible for the WIC (Womens, Infants, Children) program [12].
  • The average mother receiving WIC benefits (has a child and an infant) could receive 10 gallons of milk per month but only $8-10 for fruits and vegetables. Per month [13]. 
Some food assistance programs have made great efforts to provide fresh produce, eggs, and sometimes seafood and meats to recipients, but they're harder to come by and not all recipients will have access to these highly coveted resources. The bulk of pantry staples are canned and dried goods, which should not contribute as the majority of someone's diet.

Health and nutrition literacy are another consideration. Nutrition labels are confusing, even to the college-educated. How can you expect someone who never completed school past 3rd grade to navigate one? If you download a special GMO scanner app, you can determine whether or not a product was made with genetically modified organisms and make a decision for yourself if you'd like to purchase it. But what happens when you don't have a smart phone? How will you ever know? 


 What You Can Do:
The state of food insecurity, hunger, and obesity is not going to change overnight, but there have been incredible leaders, at the local and national level, who have been pioneering efforts to make healthy and fresh food more accessible and affordable for our neighbors. By no means do I expect anyone to do all of the below. I'm already so grateful that you've read up to this point. Perhaps you can pick one thing and try it out. If nothing speaks to you, do a Google search to brainstorm your own idea. Here are a few suggestions to get you thinking about how you can participate:

In any town/city:

  • Are you a healthcare professional? Consider incorporating obesity training and advocacy more directly into your practice. Take a look at this resource toolbox list that Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health compiled. 
  • Do you own a business? Donate a percentage of your profits to a local organization that combats food insecurity. If you're in the food service industry, donate leftovers to a local food pantry or soup kitchen. Similarly, if you have catered meetings (whether you're a business professional or a high school club leader), donate leftovers. The Good Samaritan Law protects you from unintended maleficence. 
  • If you're an athlete, consider fundraising and running for a charity run that's related to food access. Find races here. 
  • Remember Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign? The movement's website still lists many ideas and resources for different individuals, regardless of their role in a community, to promote a healthy lifestyle. Specific actions are suggested for chefs, parents, teachers, local officials, kids, and healthcare providers. I argue that you can still apply some of the recommended strategies even if you don't identify with any of their categories. 
  • Volunteer at a local food pantry. See what foods are offered. Meet the people who are being served. Find a nearby one here.
  • If you're a student who loves working with students, consider hosting a "Cooking Matters" program at a local enrichment or 4-H program. Cooking Matters is the educational component of No Kid Hungry with the goal to teach kids and families how to prepare affordable, healthy meals. 
  • Are you a parent or teacher? Here are a few lesson ideas to teach your kids about chronic hunger and food insecurity.
  • Attend a local food insecurity or poverty simulation. Schools and universities may hold them, but if you can't find one, consider purchasing The Poverty Simulation. 
  • Find your local representative and write to them about: 
  1. The Farm Bill, which covers funding for all federal food assistance programs, is currently being renewed and rewritten. The Trump administration is threatening to make significant cuts to food assistance programs (more details here). Ask your representative to stand against the proposed budget cuts. (Note: if you are a dietetic student or dietitian with EatRight Pro membership, the Academy's Action Center has drafted entire emails specific to certain legislative actions. All you have to do is find your representative, type in your name, and send. No research or writing necessary. It couldn't be easier. Do it!)
  2. Obesity Action has provided a list of obesity-specific legislation you can write to your representative about. Here are a few.
In Princeton:

  • Do you have language skills? Volunteer at Princeton Alliance Church's He Cares We Care food pantry and serve Spanish-speaking customers. 
  • Get a group of friends together and make bagged lunches for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. If you have young kids who aren't quite old enough to serve meals at a soup kitchen, this would be a great way to introduce the concept of volunteering from home.
  • Instead of donating canned goods, donate fresh vegetables and fruits to Arm in Arm. You can do that as you shop at the Princeton McCaffrey's, West Windsor Farmer's Market (every Saturday), and Pennington Quality Market. 
  • Participate in a Run for Hunger race with CUMAC. 
  • Grab breakfast from The Feed Truck at the West Windsor Farmer's Market. Read this to learn about how they promote local agriculture and equality through their social responsibility initiatives.
In New York City:

  • Take a look at City Harvest's "Take Action" section and see how you can contribute. There are opportunities to volunteer, fundraise, donate food, advocate, and attend events. 
  • Are you a healthcare provider? Learn about the 101 on food insecurity and how you can screen for it among your patients. This powerpoint will even provide you with resources to offer to patients. Try testing your knowledge beforehand, too. 
  • Donate directly to Memorial Sloan-Kettering's Food to Overcome Outcome Disparities program, which serves immigrant, food insecure, cancer patients at both their own and other hospitals in NYC through their food pantry program. Can you imagine not having enough food while undergoing cancer treatments?
  • Meet your favorite Food Network celebrity chefs at the NYC Wine and Food Festival. Some of the ticket proceeds will benefit No Kid Hungry and Food Bank for New York City. 


 In Ithaca:

  • Donate to Healthy Food for All, a great organization that has started a CSA (community shared agriculture) program that uses a sliding-scale system to make fresh, local produce affordable for families. Thanks to HFFA, Ithaca is the 1st city in the U.S. to guarantee single moms living in poverty access to nutritious, local food. 
  • Purchase an extra bag of fruits and vegetables during your visit to the Ithaca Farmer's Market and leave it in the Friendship Donation Network bin (should be by the main office). There are many FDN drop-off bins ("neighborhood hubs") throughout Ithaca, so feel free to share leftovers from your own garden or supermarket trip, too! Find neighborhood hubs here.
  • Help serve a hot meal to your neighbors at Loaves & Fishes. 

Want to learn more?

References:
[1] http://www.fao.org/state-of-food-security-nutrition
[2] http://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
[3] https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics.aspx#foodsecure
[4] https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
[5] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity_adult_07_08/obesity_adult_07_08.htm
[6] https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/09/19/441494432/the-u-s-doesnt-have-enough-of-the-vegetables-were-supposed-to-eat
[7] https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2010/11/why-we-shouldnt-cut-food-stamps-to-pay-for-school-lunch/66913/
[8] http://www.feedingamerica.org/about-us/press-room/study-food-assistance-shifts-from-emergency-to-chronic.html
[9] This statistic was shared to my class when HFFA visited for a presentation: http://www.healthyfoodforall.org/
[10] This statistic was shared to my class by my professor.
[11] http://www.justharvest.org/advocacy/the-truth-about-snap-food-stamps/
[12] http://www.nccp.org/publications/pub_1148.html
[13] https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-food-packages-maximum-monthly-allowances

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