Regional Reflection Thoughts from Joe, Lorain County Community College

In response to Christine Muhlke's Growing Together

The chief class issue in the food insecurity argument laid out by Christine Muhlke is education or the lack thereof. Muhlke talks about “small-food communities” as a movement driven by the college educated, which makes class issues inevitable. Ostensibly, if one is college-educated, one is more likely to hold a job (likely to be higher paying) which allows for access to healthy, fresh food (taxes on food are regressive as is, and prices for natural, organic foods typically run higher). It stands to reason that those at the lower end of the socioeconomic spectrum are less likely to be college-educated, and if they are employed will likely be in a low wage occupation. If this is the expected norm, then access to healthy, fresh food is not likely to be enjoyed due to economic constraints.

Additionally, Muhlke points out that they typical origination point for “small-food communities” is typically around cities and universities. In simple terms, are these “small-food communities” in areas where the socioeconomically disadvantaged can access them? Muhlke references a neighborhood in Detroit that is a true “food desert;” there are no national chain grocery stores within city limits. In response to this, the Urban Farming organization has brought what is essentially a farmer’s market to this neighborhood. Taking these “small-food communities” to where they are most needed is essential to combating food insecurity.

One step we can take on college campuses is to participate in outreach efforts that address food insecurity. Lorain County Community College partners with local organizations that help make farmer’s markets possible. More importantly, they are taken to what are typically more socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Lorain County. Additionally, events built around “healthy eating” and preparing these foods could be hosted on college campuses. Michael Travis of the Urban Farming organization remarked while visitors were picking collard green that many did not know how to cook them. Hosting an event such as this on a college campus would help provide a needed service, and introduce the college campus environment to individuals that may not be familiar with it (raising awareness to education options). Lorain County Community College is considering starting a culinary arts program; this would be the perfect vehicle for hosting a “healthy eating” event, just to provide an example.