Food insecurity here in the US and around the world is a bigger issue than you might think. As October Food Days are once again upon us, and we reflect on the wonders of food production, you may be thinking, “How can I be expected to solve world hunger?” and “Is food insecurity really that prevalent in the US?”
You may have heard that by 2050 (less than 40 years) the population will reach 9 billion people, requiring a 70% increase in food production. These are no longer new statistics, but they do present an extreme challenge for both agriculture and society. And the challenge is already here today. 1 in every 6 Americans go to bed hungry every day, and others don’t have access to fresh produce and other healthful food options.
While we do have an abundant and safe food supply here in the US, many people do not have access to safe, nutritious food, due to unaffordability and/or their distance from the nearest grocery store. Believe it or not, there are areas where a grocery store is not within walking distance of some residences. These areas are known as “food deserts.” While one or two miles to the nearest grocery store may not seem very far, think about if you had to walk that distance. Now think about walking that distance carrying 20 or more pounds of groceries. You might be surprised to learn that your co-worker or even a fellow community member is food insecure. It is often difficult to relate to the almost 1 billion people that are underfed or malnourished around the world, but this issue occurs more often than we like to think.
Some Americans and families in developing nations need a solution well before 2050. Modern food production and technology is one solution to providing nutritious, safe, affordable choices to those who are food insecure, as well as many others who have to juggle families, budgets, careers, and life’s unexpected turns, all while putting food on the table (that covers most of us!)
So, what can we do to help raise awareness of this increasing and alarming trend? Many nonprofit associations and groups are working to do just that. One such group, the Alliance to Feed the Future, which is coordinated by the International Food Information Council, is committed to raising awareness of the benefits of modern agriculture and large-scale food production to promote expanding access to food and alleviating hunger.
This month, the Alliance will release new activities as part of its educational curricula for Kindergarten-8th graders, “Lunchbox Lessons: The Journey from Farm to Fork.” These activities will help students learn about what it takes to feed the world, incorporating facts about modern food and agricultural production’s role in improving sustainability and cutting food waste into class science requirements. These new lessons will meet the Next Generation Science Standards established for students, for which teachers are responsible for fulfilling.
The “Lunchbox Lessons” are made possible through a grant from Farm Credit and include grade-specific educational materials developed by The Education Center. Check the Alliance to Feed the Future website this month for the new activities, and to download the original lessons that meet Language Arts and Math requirements.
As future generations of Americans are increasingly urban, it will be more important than ever to raise awareness of how food production and technology can help provide choices for everyone, helping to ensure a food secure future.
