The Tale of Two Tables: Why Food Security Matters More Than Ever
By Lorrie Narcisse; Flourish Learning Board
I have lived in Marin County for the majority of my life. The only exception to this was 4 years living in Durango, Colorado.
In Marin, we have access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats. There are various options for our food beyond the usual supermarkets: Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and weekly farmers' markets. The complete opposite is present southwest of Durango. The Navajo Nation, which is approximately 3 hours away from Durango, exists in a food desert. In areas with food deserts, the residents have little to no access to affordable and nutritious foods. In the Navajo Nation, there are only 13 grocery stores in a region that is over 27,000 square miles. This leaves over 75% of the permanent residents experiencing food insecurity. This firsthand experience of food insecurity allowed me to understand just how common food insecurity is within the country - even near me, in Marin.
Food is a critical part of everyday life, not just for survival but for social connection, too. Many people harbor shame for not being able to provide for their families or themselves. According to the Pew Research Center, grocery prices have increased 28.5% since 2020, and costs only seem to be rising. This puts many families in the difficult position of food insecurity. In 2023, 17.9% of families with children struggled with food insecurity at some point as did 34.7% of single-women households with children.
The issue of food insecurity can be addressed. The first step is knowing about the issue. As your research moves you to get involved, the next steps include contributing to your local foodbank, volunteering, and donating when you are able. For example, the SF-Marin Food Bank has been serving the Bay Area since 1987. As food scarcity increases, it is crucial to be tapped into local systems to help alleviate the stress that is coming from federal cuts. It is always best to be proactive rather than reactive.
Notes from the Flourish Team:
Lorrie brings attention to such an important issue and, as we’ve followed her encouragement to learn more.
The National Institutes of Health determined in 2020 that health disparities exacerbated by racial discrimination increased the prevalence of food insecurity for Black households and the COVID-19 pandemic caused higher rates of food insecurity for Black households than other populations. Food insecurity is especially harmful to children as it can disrupt their physical, emotional and cognitive development, which can be especially impactful and lead to lifelong effects on their health, education and well-being. (2023 NAACP Resolution Addressing Food Insecurity and the Future of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program))
We’ve also been tracking some of the most recent changes to our food programs in the U.S. For example, did you know that over $1 billion of funding for food assistance was frozen or cut earlier this year by the Trump administration - and that the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, signed into law last month, included billions in cuts to SNAP meant to help ensure food stability for children and young adults?
These cuts feel particularly important as kids go back to school this year. One in five children is food insecure and not having enough to eat makes it difficult to learn and engage well. This brief article from Feed the Children offers a great overview - and several links for more learning about the impact of hunger in the classroom.
What’s one thing you can do today to learn more and take action?
