Poverty and Hunger

“1 billion people in the world are chronically hungry. 1 billion people are overweight.”

– Mark Bittman

“The poor can no longer afford a balanced diet. Global food prices have increased an average of forty-three percent since 2007, according to the IMF. These increases have been horrific for the approximately one billion people—one-sixth of the world’s population—who subsist on less than a dollar per day.”

– Chris Hedges

“Narrowing the income and education gaps in American society would prevent disease and increase life expectancy not only among the poor, Kawachi contends, but throughout society.”

– Glassner

What is …

… poverty? (absolute AND relative)

… hunger?… starvation?

… malnutrition?

… undernutrition?

Malnutrition

“Faulty nutrition due to inadequate or unbalanced intake of nutrients or their impaired assimilation or utilization.”

Undernourished

“Supplied with less than the minimum amount of the foods essential for sound health and growth.”

Hunger

1: a craving, desire, or urgent need for food 2: an uneasy sensation occasioned normally by the lack of food and resulting directly from stimulation of the sensory nerves of the stomach by the contraction and churning movement of the empty stomach 3: a weakened disordered condition brought about by prolonged lack of food

Hidden Hunger

“People who may consume enough calories to survive, but lack certain nutrients – specifically protein (protein deficiency in the first three years can cause permanent damage; both to mental capacity & physical growth).”

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM)

Marasmus

Kwashiorkor

Inequality

“Social inequality refers to a situation in which individuals in a society do not have equal social status.”

“Economic inequality (or "wealth and income differences") comprises all disparities in the distribution of economic assets and income.”

GINI Coefficient

Local Poverty

DTES

Resourcefulness

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food.”

- Article 25 (1948)

Quote

“Food security is not in the supermarket. It's not in the government. It's not at the emergency services division. True food security is the historical normalcy of packing it in during the abundant times, building that in-house larder, and resting easy knowing that our little ones are not dependent on next week's farmers' market or the electronic cashiers at the supermarket.” – Joel Salatin

Food Rules

#28 – If you have space, buy a freezer.

#62 – Plant a vegetable garden if you have space, a window box if you don’t.

#63 – Cook.

DefinitionsFood Security: “Access by all people at all times to enough food for an active healthy life. At a minimum this includes the ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods and the assured ability to acquire personally acceptable foods in a socially acceptable way.”

Food Sovereignty: “Food sovereignty is the right of peoples to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecologically sound and sustainable methods, and their right to define their own food and agriculture systems.”

Resourceful: “Having the ability to find clever ways to overcome difficulties.”

Tips for Cutting Costs1. Become a smarter shopper2. Join a CSA and pick your own3. Cook simply from scratch at home4. Dine out less or not at all5. Eat less meat6. Local low-income support programs7. Start a garden8. Reprioritize your budget9. Speak with your government

Shopping Tips

• Shop Sales• Use Coupons• Look for ‘Dollar’ Bags of Produce• Shop Frequently or Buy in Bulk (dif. Benefits)• Have a Selection of Stores for Shopping• Purchase Large Items with Friends• Get to the Farm