In response to “Value-Added Food for Hungry Families”: Does your host campus participate in any annual food drives? What role do you think these annual projects play in addressing the year-round issue of food (in)security in our communities? What additional projects or initiatives might a campus consider engaging in to deepen their commitment to issues of food (in)security?
As do many campuses, John Carroll holds annual food drives- especially during the holiday season when the spirit of giving seems most prominent. But people experience food insecurity for more than just one season a year and, in the ideal world, no one would need to face the prospect of hunger. JCU attempts to address hunger year round by providing weekly meals to individuals who are homeless or who live below the poverty line and by donating 100% of the produce from their community garden to the Heights Hunger Center. I applaud these efforts as they move beyond a one-time hand-out and toward a more sustained, long-term commitment. What I think may still be missing is the need to spread awareness regarding the institutional causes behind hunger as well as our ability as citizens to take action to advocate for improved poverty and hunger alleviation policies. Much of these realizations comes from post-service reflection, while the tools for action come from a strong service-learning program.
In response to “Growing Together”: Author Christine Muhlke states, “Class issues are inevitable with a movement driven by the college educated, regardless if they can sweat $25 for the chicken they believe is the only kind of chicken people should be eating. And the fact remains that those who are growing, distributing and serving this food can’t always afford to buy it. The idea of good food for all is still fairly (organic, heirloom apple) pie in the sky.” What factors contribute to Muhlke’s understanding of food (in)security as a class issue? What steps can we take on our campuses to better address the role that socioeconomic status plays in regular access to fresh, healthy food?
I once read an article from a conservative think-tank website asserting that there is no hunger crisis in the United States because, "in fact," the majority of low- income individuals are overweight or obese. In the moment, I was absolutely dumbfounded and angered by this article but, in retrospect, I could understand how someone who did not fully understand the concept of "malnutrition" and "food insecurity" might reach such conclusions. An understanding of such concepts leads one to recognize the fact that access to cheap, processed, high fat/salt foods can be detrimental to one's physical health, just as a lack of food entirely. A friend of mine once went through an immersion program in which she and her peers consumed a diet of ramen noodles and various packaged, preserved, high fat/sugar foods. She expressed what a wake-up call this was when it came to the diets many individuals facing food insecurity are forced to consume. She felt lethargic, hungry despite having eaten an hour before. She felt distractible and unfocussed. How difficult it must be to try to study for school under such conditions! When we spread hunger awareness on our campuses and when we take measures to address hunger, it must be paired with a holistic portrayal of the many "looks" hunger can have. We need to delve into the existence of "food deserts" and the measures we can take to help make healthy, fresh food more available. Community gardens are a wonderful place to start.
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