Food Should Be A Human Right

  

In my class SDGs & You we have been talking about the Sustainable Development Goals provided by the United Nations. We have emphasized goals 1, 2, and 4. We were able to go on an FE which stands for field experience which is similar to a field trip but different in the fact that it is more hands on. My class and I were able to go to Lincoln Park Community Shelter and cooked a meal for the residents living there.

To,Hiu (2019) 

To, Hiu (2019)

 The United Nations came up with a list of goals known as the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDG’s. This a list of goals that the UN created to address issues like hunger, lack of,  or inadequate education, and other goals that affect the environment that are on the way to be accomplished by 2030. When talking about sustainable development goals you can see how they relate to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. I chose to emphasize SDG number two which is zero hunger. Hunger has been an endemic issue that has been an impact everywhere in the world, but especially in third world countries. "99% of the world’s undernourished people live in developing countries" (“World Hunger Facts”). Hunger is a worldwide issue that has cycled through history since the beginning of time, and it's time to step up and do something about it.

 When thinking about hunger and how it affects the world it is good to have multiple definitions. Having a good understanding of what hunger is can be beneficial, food security plays into hunger as well. Hunger and food insecurity are closely related but different definitions. ”Hunger refers to a personal, physical sensation of discomfort, while food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the level of the household”(Feeding America). The difference between hunger and food security is that hunger is more of a continuous feeling around the world whereas food security is the lack of being able to sustain oneself or household with food. There are different ranges when it comes to food security, high food security, marginal food security, low food security and very low food security. High food security is most ideal, it is when there are no indications of lack of food access or limitations. Marginal food security is “typically of anxiety over food sufficiency or shortage of food in the house” (USDA). Low food security is farther down the line of food security, it refers to “reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet” (USDA). Very low food security is the lowest range of food security, it is reduced food intake in a household.

Food should be a right. Nobody can live without food or water, as Maslow says, it is a physiological need. It is crucial for survival and should be a global right. Not having enough food affects us mentaly and physically. “Chronic hunger results in a lack of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a child to reach developmental milestones” (Howell).

The number of people affected by hunger has been reduced since 1990,”by 216 million people, despite an increase in world population of more than two billion” (Feldt). This shows that we are on the right track to get to zero hunger. Ending world hunger can benefit the economy in multiple ways, “By providing individuals with access to nourishment, they can be more productive and contribute more to their community” (Wetmore).

The neighborhood that I live in, Woodlawn, used to be what's known as a food dessert. A food desert is when a community does not have direct access to a grocery store or food source. Recently there was a grocery store built near my house which makes Woodlawn no longer qualified as a food desert but up until 1 year ago there were no grocery stores near me.

Feed My Starving Children is an organization that sends packs of food to families and children all over the world in countries that have a lack of food. Each pack of food that gets sent contains about 6-12 servings and have “vitamin packed flavoring, dried vegetables, soy protein and rice”(FMSC). Feed my Starving Children is one one of many responses to ending world hunger.

World hunger is a real issue affecting real people. Hunger has been present all throughout history. The UN is trying to achieve zero hunger and the global help it i possible. It takes time to make a difference, but all the time and energy it will take and when everyone has a role in helping zero hunger is possible.

Sources:
 Feldt, Åsa Skogström. “Can We End Hunger in the Next 15 Years?” The HuffPost, HuffPost Impact,     06 Dec. 2017. Web. 30 Sept. 2019

Feeding America. “Understand Food Insecurity.” Feeding America, 2019 Hunger + Health. Web 30       Sept. 2019

 FMCS. “Feed My Starving Children Fact Sheet.” Feed My Starving Children, 2019 Feed My                 Starving Children. Web. 30 Sept. 2019

 Howell, Dyron. “How Hunger Affects School Performance.” Snack Pak 4 Kids, Snack Pak 4 Kids,       28 Jun. 2017. Web 30 Sept. 2019

USDA. “Definitions of Food Security.” USDA ERS, United States Department of Agriculture. 4       Sept.  2019. Web 30 Sept. 2019

Wetmore, Deanna. “How Solving World Hunger Helps the Economy.” Borgen Magazine, The       Borgen Project, 9 Jul. 2017. Web. 30 Sept.

2019 World Hunger Facts. “Know Your World: Facts About Hunger And Poverty.” The Hunger         Project, Web. 30 Sept. 2019