It is hardly a secret that, thanks to a combination of economic difficulties and international food shortages, lower income families in the Washington State area are now at risk of going hungry. Heavy rainstorms and droughts worked in combination last summer to effectively destroy large swathes of domestic crops while, overseas, similar problems in Europe and Asia pushed up the prices of imports from usually reliable sources in South America. All in all, it is hardly surprising that emergency centers such as
Yakima Food Bank have had their work cut out trying to feed the hungry this Christmastime.
However we believe that, although the battle against hunger is massively challenging, it is by no means unwinnable. By raising awareness of issues surrounding food poverty and encouraging more communities to band together in assisting each other in times of need, we hope to tackle this key issue head on and ease the pressure upon food banks at times of crisis. This is why we have compiled a list of small changes you can make in your day to day life to help us win the war against hunger bit by bit.
Planning Meals to Cut Waste
Did you know that, in 2011 alone, citizens of the United States of America produced more than
36 million tons of food waste? Or, how about this fact – at this very moment, 1 in 6 Americans are going hungry as they simply cannot afford to feed themselves or their families. When problems are put side by side like this, the solution seems very simple; by cutting down on food waste, we can feed more hungry people. So why aren’t we doing it? It is very easy to generate food waste, especially as so many supermarkets in this country hold promotions offering their customers “2 for the price of 1” deals. We’ve all been guilty of picking up an extra item and forgetting about it once in a while! Planning meals ahead of schedule and only picking up essentials is great for two reasons, as you can help in cutting down food waste and, do as Kwikmed suggest and gain
greater control over your diet at the same time.
Donating to Food Banks
We’ve already mentioned the fact that food banks in America are being pushed to breaking point, and that even with their help millions of Americans go hungry due to a lack of finances. Now we’re going to talk a little about how you can help. Those 2 for 1 supermarket deals we mentioned above can actually help in this situation, as if you know your family will only eat one pack of potato chips in a week, the other could be dropped in at your local food bank – it may not be much, but in times such as these literally everything counts. Similarly, if you are reorganizing your kitchen cupboards and come across some tins you bought on an impulse and never plan to use, food banks would welcome them with open arms. For those who grow their own fruit and vegetables, you’re certainly doing your bit for the environment, but will you really use everything you harvest? Fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy are the
most commonly wasted foods, so donating any excess you may have will help feed the hungry in your local area and also prevent your hard labor ending up in a landfill.
Community Involvement
Taking these steps in your own home is an excellent start in tackling hunger, but if you wish to go a step further you can do a world of good in your local community. If you are part of a church, for example, you could maybe ask to use the church’s facilities to hold a fundraiser or free soup kitchen once a month – many churches in Washington State
already run initiatives of this kind, so perhaps you could seek volunteers from the congregation next Sunday! Alternatively, approaching local store owners and asking them to donate any food which they have not sold at the end of the day, or even sell it to a community food poverty group for a discounted price, is a win win situation for both parties involved. The store owner moves unsold stock from the shelves, and there will be more full bellies in your community by the end of the day.
Tackling food poverty is not all about hosting hunger strikes at city hall or feeding the five thousand in a single day – it is a marathon, not a sprint, and therefore requires dedication in raising awareness at all times. Any small changes you can make to your lifestyle in order to battle hunger are a step towards a fairer world, and if you can make changes in your community the message will spread even further.
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