FoodStream Network

ealth and wealth of their neighborhoods. Our mission is to reimagine the physical, social, racial, and economic health of our communities through smart technology and stronger food-access connections. We are working to end hunger and advocate nutritious food as the most basic human right in the U.S and around the world. What is food insecurity? According to the USDA definition, “food insecurity” is the limited/uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited/uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. Food Bank News estimates that there are at least 371 food bank organizations and 60,000 emergency food providers, such as pantries, agencies and programs, all largely fulfilling the basic role of acquiring perishable or non-perishable food and redistributing it to food-insecure individuals across the U.S. Conversely, the US wastes more than 35% (133 billion pounds) of the food it produces annually. This amount of wasted food is ample enough to feed over 66 million people (an average American eats just under 2,000 pounds each year). Spending on USDA’s food and nutrition assistance programs jumped 30% in fiscal year 2020 to an inflation-adjusted record of $122.1 billion, abruptly reversing a six-year decline. However, according to Feeding America, there remains a national food budget shortfall of $19.5 billion, which reflects the additional amount of money that food-insecure people in the U.S. are likely to spend on just enough food to meet their needs. Yet, despite all the food surplus and efforts of government and non-government entities, over 42 million people, including 15 million children, in the United States are food insecure. This means, 1 in 8 individuals (13%) and 1 in 6 children (17%) live in homes without consistent access to adequate food for everyone to live healthy, active lives. This is a national problem with local health implications across the country. An analysis of health indicators and food insecurity shows that communities with the highest rates of food insecurity are typically BIPOC and face a higher prevalence for diseases tied to health. The short-term health effects of missed meals include fatigue and reduced immune response, which increase the risk of contracting transmissible diseases. Additionally, inadequate nutrition can also stunt children’s development; food insecurity is linked to lower grades and non-cognitive skills, and they may be more likely to exhibit behavioral problems, including anxiety, psychological distress, and substance use. Unsurprisingly, these hard-hit communities are further impacted by long-standing inequities, such as food deserts, where residents struggle to access basics like fruit and vegetables. Whereas, a food swamp is where there are high ratios of bodegas and fast-food — with limited healthy choices — to supermarkets. For example, in the Bronx CD6, NYC there are 37 bodegas to each supermarket, more than twice the city average of 16 to 1. The old adage that the zip code you grow up in can determine your health and life expectancy rings true. Historically harmful institutions, like structural racism and discrimination, only add to the situation. Not enough is being done to fix this food-related crisis. Which is why FoodStream was born.