Food Security
Community Food Security is defined as “a condition in which all community residents obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system, maximizing self-reliance and social justice.” (Hamm & Bellows)
Yes, it is a mouthful, but every part of the definition is important to striving for a just food system. The key element of talking about food security is that it goes beyond hunger. There are factors beyond hunger that influence if someone has a healthy, active life. The food we eat affects mood, mental and physical development, energy levels, and long-term health. In November 1995, the FAO stated that “every man, woman and child has the inalienable right to be free from hunger and malnutrition in order to develop their physical and mental faculties.”
So what influences food security or insecurity in a neighborhood?
- Accessibility of grocery stores in a neighborhood
- Quality and Affordability of fresh foods
- Adequate public transportation to food outlets
- Presence of farmers markets and other outlets for local farmers
- Fresh healthy food served in public schools
- Cultural knowledge of how to cook a healthy meal
- Local food culture
- Access to community gardens
- Access to kitchen facilities to cook meals
What influences access to healthy food in your community?
The factors that influence Community Food Security are varied and interconnected. By looking at our local food system with a Community Food Security framework, we hope to better understand these factors and how we can improve access for everyone to healthy food in an effective and lasting way.
What does the food system in Birmingham look like?