Food security, as defined by the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security, means that all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. Unfortunately, there are globally increasing trends of chronic hunger, acute food insecurity and malnutrition.
There are many challenges to food security: the compounding effects of conflicts; climate variability and weather extremes; economic difficulties; and social/political instability. What can be done?
Supported by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, many Land-grant Universities and Institutions are bringing the power of Extension to bear on the challenges of food security. Through creation of food pantries, community gardens, food drives, farmers markets and more, Land-grant Universities, their partners and local community initiatives collaborate to keep food on the table for many.
Successful examples include:
An effort begun during the COVID-19 pandemic is still providing high-quality shrimp to food banks in Louisiana. With help from USDA, the local Sea Grant program was able to develop workable guidelines for the purchase and distribution of shrimp. The effort supports a vital industry in the state and provides a highly valued addition to the diets of food bank clients.
Source: usda.gov
Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic
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