Food Insecurity Study Circle

Hunger and Food Insecurity Study Circle Written and Produced by Avery M. Kurzontkowski Marianapolis Preparatory School Background In the United States, food insecurity is one of the largest issues facing Americans. So many people in poverty who live paycheck-to-paycheck never know where their next meal will come from or what it will be. Discussing the dilemma of food insecurity in a relaxed and modern setting can allow for education on the subject and new ideas about how to combat the problem. Access to fresh and healthy food for all Americans should be a given security that many do not have, and people should be able to not question if they will be able to eat their next meal. This study circle may produce some ways that Americans can have access to nutritious food to feed themselves and their families. This study circle is meant to allow an opportunity for people in communities to gather and discuss the issue of food insecurity in the United States. Any citizens who want to make a difference and do good in their country can take part in this study circle to enhance their knowledge of a big issue facing Americans, and review plans for how to help more Americans have access to food. The facts and concepts can be discussed by any group of people, non discriminatory on race, age, or financial background. Strategic plans for enhancing educational spread of information can come out of this study circle as well, along with other ideas for how to aid struggling Americans. It is important that all citizens have access to food at their own disposal and are able to know when they will be eating next with no worry. Structure This study circle is designed for a group of about 10-20 people who are able to meet three different times for one hour each to discuss the issue presented. The sessions can meet daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on available participation by members. One facilitator, or group leader, should be in charge of directing each session on the different topics presented. Notes should be taken by all members of the discussion. All three sessions should be completed in around one hour each, but longer is perfectly fine if all members of discussion consent to it. Articles containing information on the subject should be discussed at the beginning or end of each session. Required reading should be chosen by the group facilitator, and a discussion about what the group read should commence at the beginning or end of each session. Discussion questions will be discussed throughout the middle of the session, along with any other supplementary questions or information that members of the group would like to bring to everyone’s attention. Participants should all agree on what is or is not to be discussed. Format All three sessions of this study circle that will take place each have a different topic. Session one will discuss the reasons behind food insecurity. Session two will discuss what geographic areas and demographic are most heavily affected by food insecurity. Session three will be primarily a brainstorming session along with educational discussion on what action can be taken to solve food insecurity. These discussions are meant to bring about important ideas and thoughts about this issue, and it is hoped that all participants will walk away with a newfound understanding of food insecurity. Group members may realize that food insecurity can happen anywhere, veen in their own community, and want to facilitate change in order to allow people more knowledge and understanding about food. Ground Rules: Participants will not talk over each other Everyone will take notes and remain attentive to the speaker No idea or question will be laughed at or mocked All participants will speak up when they have a thought Conversation will remain on topic and not verge off to conversation about anything that does not have to do with the matter at hand Session One: The purpose is session one is to introduce the topic of food insecurity to group participants. This session will focus on the causes and effects of food insecurity, and why so many Americans suffer from it. Group participants will learn key information attesting to the different causes of hunger, such as low income or little education. All world issues start with a cause, and this session will highlight why food insecurity is an issue. Various discussion questions will be reviewed Supplemental Readings “What Causes Hunger.” Bread for the World, 28 Oct. 2020, www.bread.org/what-causes-hunger. “How Do You Measure Hunger?” Feeding America, www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity. Keith-Jennings, Brynne. “Causes of Food Insecurity Go Well Beyond Low Incomes.” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 15 Nov. 2017, www.cbpp.org/blog/causes-of-food-insecurity-go-well-beyond-low-incomes. Session Two: Session two will further the discussion about food insecurity in the U.S.A. and will dive into statistics. Data will be scanned that shows the places in America where food insecurity is the highest and what demographic of people experience it the most (race, age, gender, etc.) In this discussion, participants in the study circle will be able to recall facts about why food insecurity affects the areas it does and for what reason. Low-income rates and racial/gender issues may contribute to food insecurity, and these factors are explored throughout this session. Supplemental Readings “Food Insecurity in America Is Cutting Childhoods Short.” Save the Children, www.savethechildren.org/us/charity-stories/food-insecurity-america-malnutrition-united-states “Kids in Southern Border and Rural Communities Struggle With Food Insecurity the Most.” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/slideshows/10-counties-with-highest-rates-of-child-food-insecurity. Frohlich, Thomas C. “States Where the Most Children Go Hungry.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 27 Apr. 2014, www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/04/27/states-where-children-hungry/8151905/ Silva, Christianna. “Food Insecurity In The U.S. By The Numbers.” NPR, NPR, 27 Sept. 2020, www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers Session Three: The third and last session of this study circle explores what actions can be taken to solve food insecurity. Over the past two sessions while participants have been educated about previous knowledge of this issue, they are now invited to share their own thoughts on what action can be taken and what they believe is in the best interest of people suffering from food insecurity. How can they aid their community in ensuring everyone has access to food? How can they better their country as a whole? Various discussion questions are also explores through this study circle. Supplemental Readings Dumitrescu, Silvia. “Food Security 102: What Is Being Done To Reduce Global Food Insecurity?” Food Insight, 10 Oct. 2018, foodinsight.org/food-security-102-what-is-being-done-to-reduce-global-food-insecurity Georgia, Markita Lewis University of. “5 Ways You Can Help Battle Food Insecurity and Malnutrition.” Spoon University, 20 Oct. 2015, spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/5-ways-can-help-battle-food-insecurity “Food Insecurity.” Food Insecurity | Healthy People 2020, www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/social-determinants-health/interventions-resources/food-insecurity. Session One: The Reasons Behind People Suffering From Food Insecurity What is food insecurity? “The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.[2] It is important to know that though hunger and food insecurity are closely related, they are distinct concepts. Hunger refers to a personal, physical sensation of discomfort, while food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the household level” Feeding America The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) divides food insecurity into the following 2 categories: Low food security: “Reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake.” Very low food security: “Reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. Many Americans in any part of the country suffer from food insecurity. Although it is prevalent it is a problem, what causes food insecurity in a household? Poverty Addiction (Gambling, Alcohol, Drugs, etc.) Unemployment/under-employment Inconsistent access to enough healthy food Famous People Speak Out “I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one.” Mother Teresa “Close to a billion people – one-eighth of the world’s population – still live in hunger. Each year 2 million children die through malnutrition. This is happening at a time when doctors in Britain are warning of the spread of obesity. We are eating too much while others starve.” Jonathan Sacks Discussion Questions: What stops people in poverty from simply getting a job and buying food? How can addiction lead to food insecurity? Can children be permanently affected by food insecurity? Session Two: What Geographic Areas and Demographic are Affected Most Heavily by Food Insecurity As discussed in the previous study circle, the largest cause of food insecurity is poverty. “Two of these groups, Blacks and Hispanics, reached historic lows in their poverty rates in 2019. The poverty rate for Blacks was 18.8%; for Hispanics, it was 15.7%.” U.S. Census “In 2018, the overall unemployment rate (jobless rate) for the United States was 3.9 percent; however, the rate varied across race and ethnicity groups. Among the race groups, jobless rates were higher than the national rate for American Indians and Alaska Natives (6.6 percent), Blacks or African Americans (6.5 percent), people categorized as being of Two or More Races (5.5 percent), and Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders (5.3 percent). Jobless rates were lower than the national rate for Asians (3.0 percent) and Whites (3.5 percent). The rate for people of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, at 4.7 percent, was higher than the rate of 3.7 percent for non-Hispanics” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics The harder it is for people of color to get employed, the less money they have, which leads to food insecurity. Although food insecurity does not just affect one place, it does become prevalent in more communities than others. Low income families in cities or rural areas are more likely to experience hunger. “Overall food-insecurity rates range from 7% in North Dakota to 19% in Mississippi in 2017, but the range was higher among children – from 10% of children in North Dakota to 24% in New Mexico, according to the latest annual Map the Meal Gap report, published May 1 by hunger relief organization Feeding America. Nationwide, 17% of children lived in food-insecure households in 2017, according to federal estimates, and previous research indicates food-insecure children may be at greater risk of developmental delays, anxiety and poor academic performance” U.S. News Statistic proving rural counties experience hunger with no race correlation “Even before the pandemic hit, some 13.7 million households, or 10.5% of all U.S. households, experienced food insecurity at some point during 2019, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That works out to more than 35 million Americans who were either unable to acquire enough food to meet their needs, or uncertain of where their next meal might come from, last year. For about a third of these households, access to food was so limited that their eating patterns were disrupted and food intake was reduced. The rest were able to obtain enough food to avoid completely disrupting their eating patterns, but had to cope by eating less varied diets or utilizing food assistance programs. The coronavirus pandemic has only worsened the problem. According to one estimate by researchers at Northwestern University, food insecurity more than doubled as a result of the economic crisis brought on by the outbreak, hitting as many as 23% of households earlier this year” NPR Coronavirus Pandemic Impact What are some impacts in developmental delays in people who experience food insecurity in adolescence? Increased hospitalizations Poor health Iron deficiency Developmental risk and behavior problems Aggression Anxiety Depression Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.) Discussion Questions: How much does racial bias play into food insecurity based on the data? What can children do to help themselves when experiencing food insecurity? Does the government seem to be doing anything about this in recent years? How can learning about these issues help those who suffer? Does gender or race play a bigger role in food insecurity? Session Three: What Action Can Be Taken to Solve Food Insecurity “Part of what makes food insecurity so difficult to solve is that the underlying causes — poverty, unemployment/under-employment and inconsistent access to enough healthy food — are often deeply interconnected. Moving in and out of food insecurity simply adds more stress to a household that may already be wrestling with instability and unpredictability” Feeding America Joining organizations who combat food insecurity is a way to help. What do these organizations do? Feeding America: “Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that provides food and services to people each year. Together, we are the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization” WhyHunger: “To build social justice, WhyHunger works to address the root causes of hunger, such as poverty, racism, sexism, classism, homophobia, and other forms of oppression and structural inequities that create disproportionate barriers to food and land access for communities” Share Our Strength: “Share Our Strength's mission is to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and abroad. We're doing this through our campaigns, like No Kid Hungry, which will end childhood hunger in the United States, and Cooking Matters, which helps low-income families learn to shop and cook healthier” United States Agency for International Development (USAID): “USAID is the world's premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID's work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience” Micronutrient Initiative: “The Micronutrient Initiative is an Ottawa-based, international not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and nutritional status of vulnerable populations – especially women and children – through essential vitamin and mineral supplements” Donating to these charities is a big way someone can help in their own community. Donating food to food banks and advocating for food rights are also ways to help. Running a food drive does a lot for local communities. Discussion Questions: What can an average citizen do to promote justice for all to have access to healthy food? Can just anybody help to promote this issue? Is a lot being done about food insecurity in the United States?