My name is Hadleigh and I live in North East Arkansas. I’ve always assumed that people who are struggling financially deserved it because they didn’t work hard enough, or they just simply chose not to get a job. My perspective around that changed recently when my class took a trip and learned what it was like to live in a food insecure environment.
Here’s a picture of me with my class whenever we first got to Heifer Ranch.
Heifer Ranch is a 1200 acre ranch in the Ouachita Mountains of Perryville, Arkansas. Their goal is to raise more of an awareness surrounding world hunger, poverty, and food insecurity. Heifer International provides animals for families in need all around the globe. For example, instead of buying them milk, they provide for them a cow. They also teach them how to grow their own food sustainably. This helps provide food security all over the world.
What is food insecurity?
Food insecurity is “a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life” (feedingamerica.org). Changing requires awareness, but also small applications to our daily lives. There are many families struggling here in Arkansas. According to frac.org, in 2016, 15.1 percent of U.S. homes were food insecure. In 2017 that grew to 15.7 percent of U.S. homes. Arkansas is one of the poorest states, and one of the most hungry. The infographic below states some facts surrounding food insecure households in America.
Lack of Access to Nutritious Food
Humans cannot survive without nutritious food. Individuals who are overweight can also be food insecure due to not having access to a supply of nutrients needed because of “junk food” consumption. I live in a food desert. I know from experience that locally grown food will help those who struggle with food insecurity the most. The nearest grocery store with fresh produce is 15 miles away. Some people don’t have cars so they quite literally cannot get fresh produce.
Observe Your Environment
We can promote food security in our community by making fresh produce available. In local markets, produce is expensive. If we grow our own food and share with those in need, we are helping those in our community who are going hungry. I am planting a garden and I will give the produce to those who can’t afford fresh fruits and vegetables. You can provide food security for your community too by growing food, donating to local food pantries, or even just by supporting local growers. Look around you and truly observe your environment. Are people in your community going hungry?
Thank you for reading! You can connect with me/message me on Instagram @hadleighhbell.
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“Heifer International | Charity Ending Hunger And Poverty.” Heifer International | Charity Ending Hunger And Poverty, www.heifer.org/.
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