Guest Bloggers
Poverty + Food Insecurity = Obesity
Published October 08, 2009 @ 06:00AM PT
Nearly two years ago, researchers at Johns Hopkins University predicted that by 2015, nearly 75 percent of the population in the United States will be overweight or obese.
As our waistlines have continued to grow with the mass availability of highly processed packaged foods and cheap meat made possible by government subsidy programs, it might seem as though weight gain is a symptom of overabundance.
However, there is a very real link between being poor and being overweight, regardless of how contradictory these problems seem to be. When hunger is lurking and money is tight, many people tend to purchase the foods that offer the greatest caloric content for the price. Unfortunately, these products usually aren't fruits and vegetables.
The fact that there is a correlation between poverty and obesity is not news. It has been documented in studies, and can be observed first-hand in many low-income communities across the country. (However, new data suggest that gender and age are significant factors in the link between poverty and obesity, and that young girls may be the most at-risk demographic.)
NYC to Get FRESH Supermarkets
Published September 24, 2009 @ 06:00AM PT
In the spirit of National Food Desert Awareness month, yesterday morning, the New York City Department of City Planning voted unanimously in favor of an initiative that will bring fresh fruits, vegetables and other all-too-rare perishable goods to some of the city's most under-served residents.
The Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (or FRESH) program will give various zoning and tax incentives to retail companies that open supermarkets in designated communities throughout the five boroughs.
For example, new stores that meet the FRESH eligibility requirements will be given sales tax exemptions, real estate tax reductions and be required to provide less parking than is mandated for other retail food operations by the city's zoning laws.
The Learning Curve Express
Published September 19, 2009 @ 09:35AM PT
Anyone who knows me knows I wouldn't easily give up an opportunity like guest blogging at Poverty in America. But HEAR US Inc.'s LEARNING CURVE EXPRESS, my daunting next venture, will keep me busy as I film short interviews with homeless kids and parents who don't count (by HUD's standards), living doubled-up and/or in motels. I will do my best to connect these homeless constituents with their (often clueless) legislators because Congress needs to learn much more about this topic.
Giving voice and visibility to homeless kids is what HEAR US is about, knowing they are their own best spokespersons. They more than proved it in our award-winning documentary, "My Own Four Walls." For the next 6-7 months I'll be traveling backroads in my bug-splattered RV, posting short clips depicting the bleak lives and the great hopes of the hidden and uncounted homeless families and teen population.
I hope to keep up with my PIA duties, but regardless will invite interested persons to take a peek at my travels and tribulations which I'll post on the HEAR US website, incl. at Change.org. Please join us in fighting for the rights and resources for homeless families in the US!
(Photo by author)
No Food, No Justice
Published September 17, 2009 @ 06:00AM PT
Although he is known as the father of the agricultural "Green Revolution" in places like Mexico, India, Africa and Southeast Asia, the message that Dr. Norman Borlaug spread throughout his life--which unfortunately ended on September 12, 2009--is one that Americans must also take heed of.
While accepting his Nobel Peace Prize in 1970, Borlaug referred to an adequate supply of food as the "first essential component of social justice." Or in other words, as the one thing every country must ensure its citizens in order to truly be a civilized society.
In the U.S., there is a need to frame food (in)security as more of a social justice issue, rather than making the struggle to feed oneself simply about who has the money to purchase quality food and who does not.
We live in a country where the rate of obesity in our population is rapidly catching up to the number of citizens living in constant fear of going hungry. While these two conditions may appear to be distinct, the common thread weaving these groups together is lack of financial resources.
Yuppie Foodies and Hungry Children
Published September 10, 2009 @ 06:00AM PT
On Labor Day this past Monday, Slow Food USA kicked off its new Time for Lunch campaign by staging "eat-ins" in various cities across the United States.
The purpose of these events, as well as the campaign in general, is to raise awareness about the need to increase healthy food in schools by reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act before the legislation expires at the end of September.
The message of this campaign is right, but the image and the branding are completely wrong.
Slow Food--although being an organization whose mission I support--is the epitome of the yuppie-foodie groups, a pay-to-play network of gazpacho sipping gastro-enthusiasts.
Do Something: September is Hunger Action Month
Published September 03, 2009 @ 06:00AM PT
Feeding America, the nations largest hunger relief charity, is reminding everyone to "Give a little, Feed a Lot" this September during Hunger Action Month.
I think that this sort of campaign is a great call to action. Many of us have really great intentions of volunteering or donating goods, but often lose this philanthropic drive in the bustle of everyday life. We should think of others all the time, but it's nice having a little reminder to do so.
There are lots of events and activities being organization by Feeding America this month (you can find ones close to you by clicking here), but really, there are so many actions you can take on your own to feed needy residents in your community.
Medicaid versus the Kindness of Strangers
Published August 28, 2009 @ 08:48AM PT
In the wake of Ted Kennedy's death, healthcare reform is getting another look. That look may or may not mean a renewed sense of progress come September, when Congress resumes what is sure to be a contentious debate. But it's clear that the kind of government role Kennedy believed in, on healthcare and other issues, will not be forgotten soon.
Acting on that vision, and getting meaningful reform for the consitencies Kennedy advocated for most, will not be easy, and in some ways got much harder with Kennedy's deterioration and death.
