By Darrin Nordahl
Though we don’t often see the story in the headlines, Americans are grappling with unprecedented food insecurity, as food banks see a surge in demand and as local government and citizens rush to address the problem.
Since the economic collapse of 2008, many unemployed breadwinners have been forced to cut family food budgets so other bills can get paid – nutritional belt tightening that harms our most vulnerable citizens: the very young and very old. Another major crisis is food safety, with frequent E. coli and salmonella contamination.
Add to that Americans’ growing girth. Twenty years ago, not a single state reported adult obesity greater than 15 percent. Today, only Colorado has adult obesity below 20 percent, while the Deep South is experiencing levels of nearly 33 percent. With rampant obesity comes more diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke.
As a result, many are clamoring for government-instituted food reform. Financially strapped states and municipalities are tackling food insecurity head-on, finding novel ways to offer affordable, nutritious fresh vegetables and fruits to citizens.