What is food insecurity? Food insecurity as defined by the USDA is "reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake" or "reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake."1 Food insecurity can effect anyone but particularily targets marginalized communities such as women, people of color, urban people, rurual people, differently abled people, very young people, and very old people, etc. One of the factors that creates food insecurit y are food deserts. Food deserts are areas where, due to a number of factors such as geography, transportation, average incomes, etc., there are few or no grocery stores or other vendors that offer fresh affordable fruits, vegtables, and lean protein. Food deserts are often located in heavily urbanized areas or sparesely populated rural areas. Their two crises that arise from food insecurity in America. On the one hand 6.4 million children experience hunger in the US2; on the other hand 12.7 million children are obese3. What this may indicate is that many children do not have access to food and what food they can access is not very nutritional.
1 - https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security.aspx
2 - https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics.aspx
3 - https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html
For those struggling with food insecurity there are resources to help reduce hunger and malnutrition.
Adams County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Foodstamps
Broomfield County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly known as Foodstamps
Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown (A cookbook specifically designed for people living on SNAP)
If you would like to learn more about food deserts feel free to watch a video from former First Lady Michelle Obama.