STANDARDS

NGSS: Core Idea: ETS1.A, LS4.D

CCSS: Speaking and Listening: 1

TEKS: 6.2E, 7.2E, 8.2E, B.2G

Article Options

Presentation View
Teaching Resources

Lexile® measure

Fighting Food Insecurity

An idea is taking root to help people who struggle to access fresh, nutritious food

November 15, 2021
By Jess Romeo

AS YOU READ, THINK ABOUT why certain communities are more likely to experience food insecurity.

DOUG HARDEMAN/URBAN FOOD FOREST AT BROWNS MILL

GROWING A FOREST: So far, Browns Mill volunteers have planted more than 2,500 edible plants.

Five years ago, Altanta, Georgia, purchased a 7.6-acre property on Browns Mill Road, less than 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the city’s bustling downtown. The land was overgrown and neglected. After years of hard work, volunteers transformed it into the country’s largest free food forest. This green space is filled with plants that produce fruit, nuts, and vegetables for local residents.

The Urban Food Forest at Browns Mill was created to help combat food insecurity—the lack of consistent access to affordable, nutritious food. In Georgia, one in six people are currently uncertain where their next meal will come from.

Five years ago, Atlanta, Georgia, bought a 7.6-acre property on Browns Mill Road. It’s less than 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the city’s busy downtown. The land was overgrown and neglected. Volunteers worked hard on the property for years. They turned it into the country’s largest free food forest. This green space is filled with plants that produce fruit, nuts, and vegetables for local people.

The Urban Food Forest at Browns Mill was created to help fight food insecurity. That’s the lack of regular access to affordable, nutritious food. In Georgia, one in six people aren’t sure where their next meal will come from.

SHANNON LEE/THE CONSERVATION FUND

HELPING OUT: Girl Scouts shovel mulch at a Browns Mill volunteer workday event.

Households suffering from food insecurity often have a limited income, which prevents them from getting the nutritious food they need. Some may also live in areas referred to as food deserts, where there are few or no grocery stores. However, many experts, like J. Olu Baiyewu, the urban agriculture director for the city of Atlanta, believe that the term “food desert” is misleading. The expression does not acknowledge other factors that affect food security, like lack of information about good nutrition and the high price of healthy foods, says Baiyewu.

Food insecurity often hits households with a limited income. That stops them from getting the nutritious food they need. Some may also live in food deserts. These areas have few or no grocery stores. But many experts believe that the term “food desert” is misleading. J. Olu Baiyewu, the urban agriculture director for the city of Atlanta, agrees. That’s because other factors also affect food security. These include lack of information about good nutrition and the high price of healthy foods, says Baiyewu.

SOURCE: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Enter the Browns Mill food forest, where more than 1,000 volunteers come together to plant, harvest, and deliver fresh produce to people in 35 neighborhoods. Today, there are more than 70 free food forests across the country—all created with the goal of improving people’s diets and working to make sure communities don’t go hungry

Enter the Browns Mill food forest. More than 1,000 volunteers work there. They plant, harvest, and deliver fresh produce to people in 35 neighborhoods. Today, there are more than 70 free food forests across the country. They all share the same goal: to improve people’s diets and make sure communities don’t go hungry.  

ACCESS TO FOOD

In 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a national survey to assess the food security of American households. The agency found that more than 35 million people in the U.S. lacked consistent access to affordable, nutritious food.

In 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a national survey to assess the food security of American households. The agency found that more than 35 million people in the U.S. lacked consistent access to affordable, nutritious food.

SOURCE: USDA

DIG INTO THE DATA: What percentage of U.S. households experienced some level of food insecurity in 2019?

DIG INTO THE DATA: What percentage of U.S. households experienced some level of food insecurity in 2019?

ACCESS TO FOOD

In 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a national survey to assess the food security of American households. The agency found that more than 35 million people in the U.S. lacked consistent access to affordable, nutritious food.

In 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a national survey to assess the food security of American households. The agency found that more than 35 million people in the U.S. lacked consistent access to affordable, nutritious food.

SOURCE: USDA

DIG INTO THE DATA: What percentage of U.S. households experienced some level of food insecurity in 2019?

DIG INTO THE DATA: What percentage of U.S. households experienced some level of food insecurity in 2019?

MAPPING THE MEAL GAP

Communities across the U.S. grapple with food insecurity—some more than others. This map shows the average food insecurity rates for each state from 2017 to 2019.

Communities across the U.S. grapple with food insecurity—some more than others. This map shows the average food insecurity rates for each state from 2017 to 2019.

JIM MCMAHON/MAPMAN ® (MAP); SOURCE: USDA

DIG INTO THE DATA: In how many states was the food insecurity rate 14 percent or greater?

DIG INTO THE DATA: In how many states was the food insecurity rate 14 percent or greater?

MAPPING THE MEAL GAP

Communities across the U.S. grapple with food insecurity—some more than others. This map shows the average food insecurity rates for each state from 2017 to 2019.

Communities across the U.S. grapple with food insecurity—some more than others. This map shows the average food insecurity rates for each state from 2017 to 2019.

JIM MCMAHON/MAPMAN ® (MAP); SOURCE: USDA

DIG INTO THE DATA: In how many states was the food insecurity rate 14 percent or greater?

DIG INTO THE DATA: In how many states was the food insecurity rate 14 percent or greater?

WHO'S AFFECTED?

Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous families are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.

Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous families are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 12 White, non-Hispanic individuals lived in a food-insecure household, compared with:

1 in 12 White, non-Hispanic individuals lived in a food-insecure household, compared with:

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 6 Hispanic individuals

1 in 6 Hispanic individuals

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 5 Black, non-Hispanic individuals

1 in 5 Black, non-Hispanic individuals

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 4 Indigenous individuals

1 in 4 Indigenous individuals

DIG INTO THE DATA: How does the rate of food insecurity in each group compare with the national average of 1 in 9?

DIG INTO THE DATA: How does the rate of food insecurity in each group compare with the national average of 1 in 9?

WHO'S AFFECTED?

Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous families are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.

Black, Hispanic, and Indigenous families are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 12 White, non-Hispanic individuals lived in a food-insecure household, compared with:

1 in 12 White, non-Hispanic individuals lived in a food-insecure household, compared with:

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 6 Hispanic individuals

1 in 6 Hispanic individuals

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 5 Black, non-Hispanic individuals

1 in 5 Black, non-Hispanic individuals

SOURCE: USDA, FEEDING AMERICA

1 in 4 Indigenous individuals

1 in 4 Indigenous individuals

DIG INTO THE DATA: How does the rate of food insecurity in each group compare with the national average of 1 in 9?

DIG INTO THE DATA: How does the rate of food insecurity in each group compare with the national average of 1 in 9?

THINK LOCAL

Many strategies for fighting food insecurity—like food forests—start at the local level. Here are some other ways people are working together to meet the specific needs of their communities.

Many strategies for fighting food insecurity—like food forests—start at the local level. Here are some other ways people are working together to meet the specific needs of their communities.

FOOD RESCUE US


FOOD RESCUE

In the U.S., 133 billion pounds of food are thrown away each year. Food rescue organizations reclaim unused food from farms and stores, delivering it directly to the communities.


FOOD RESCUE

In the U.S., 133 billion pounds of food are thrown away each year. Food rescue organizations reclaim unused food from farms and stores, delivering it directly to the communities.

ROBERT K. CHIN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


COMMUNITY FRIDGES

There are more than 150 free food fridges in the U.S., stocked with donations of fresh produce, frozen meals, and cold drinks.


COMMUNITY FRIDGES 

There are more than 150 free food fridges in the U.S., stocked with donations of fresh produce, frozen meals, and cold drinks.

MELANIE STETSON FREEMAN/THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR/AP IMAGES



FOOD CO-OPS

Food “cooperatives” aren’t owned by big corporations. These grocery stores are owned by the members of the community who shop there.



FOOD CO-OPS

Food “cooperatives” aren’t owned by big corporations. These grocery stores are owned by the members of the community who shop there.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Which strategy shown do you think would have the greatest impact on a community? Explain your reasoning.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Which strategy shown do you think would have the greatest impact on a community? Explain your reasoning.

THINK LOCAL

Many strategies for fighting food insecurity—like food forests—start at the local level. Here are some other ways people are working together to meet the specific needs of their communities.

Many strategies for fighting food insecurity—like food forests—start at the local level. Here are some other ways people are working together to meet the specific needs of their communities.

FOOD RESCUE US


FOOD RESCUE

In the U.S., 133 billion pounds of food are thrown away each year. Food rescue organizations reclaim unused food from farms and stores, delivering it directly to the communities.


FOOD RESCUE

In the U.S., 133 billion pounds of food are thrown away each year. Food rescue organizations reclaim unused food from farms and stores, delivering it directly to the communities.

ROBERT K. CHIN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


COMMUNITY FRIDGES

There are more than 150 free food fridges in the U.S., stocked with donations of fresh produce, frozen meals, and cold drinks.


COMMUNITY FRIDGES 

There are more than 150 free food fridges in the U.S., stocked with donations of fresh produce, frozen meals, and cold drinks.

MELANIE STETSON FREEMAN/THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR/AP IMAGES



FOOD CO-OPS

Food “cooperatives” aren’t owned by big corporations. These grocery stores are owned by the members of the community who shop there.



FOOD CO-OPS

Food “cooperatives” aren’t owned by big corporations. These grocery stores are owned by the members of the community who shop there.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Which strategy shown do you think would have the greatest impact on a community? Explain your reasoning.

DIG INTO THE DATA: Which strategy shown do you think would have the greatest impact on a community? Explain your reasoning.

What kinds of food crops are grown near you? Pick one and describe how it’s farmed and used. Include a diagram or infographic that shows how this food might make it to your dinner table. 

What kinds of food crops are grown near you? Pick one and describe how it’s farmed and used. Include a diagram or infographic that shows how this food might make it to your dinner table. 

What kinds of food crops are grown near you? Pick one and describe how it’s farmed and used. Include a diagram or infographic that shows how this food might make it to your dinner table. 

What kinds of food crops are grown near you? Pick one and describe how it’s farmed and used. Include a diagram or infographic that shows how this food might make it to your dinner table. 

Biology
Health & Disease
Skills Sheets (4)
Skills Sheets (4)
Skills Sheets (4)
Skills Sheets (4)
Lesson Plan (2)
Lesson Plan (2)
Text-to-Speech