Food insecurity is the lack of availability of food or inability of individuals to access and afford food.

Previous literature has indicated that socioeconomically and racially marginalized communities have higher rates of food insecurity. In many neighborhoods throughout the United States, nutritious, affordable and high quality food are out of reach in historically marginalized communities. This may be attributable to the lack of economic investment in said communities. It is vital that resources and funding are allocated to historically disenfranchised communities to cultivate accessibility to fresh and nutritious food options. Furthermore, there is an ever-growing body of evidence that indicates the impact of the food environment on long-term health outcomes of those who inhabit the environment. Food insecurity has been linked to multiple chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, mental health disorders, to name a few.

A 2016 analysis of more than 18,000 households found that U.S. residents living in food deserts, or areas with few healthy food options had their odds of obesity increased by 30% compared to residents not living in food deserts. There also appears to be a significant relationship between communities of color and lower socioeconomic status and being denied fresh, healthy, and affordable foods.

While there is growing evidence of the existence of food insecurities in certain communities and their health effects, there are very few studies on the impacts of sustainable policies that tackle food insecurity, particularly policies that galvanize those directly impacted by food insecurity at the local and community level. To create these policies entails community empowerment, or the process by which those typically excluded from the decision making, gain ‘control’ over decision making to take social action. Community empowerment includes participation in public health matters, prioritization of community based organizations, selection of local leadership1. This translates into building capacity within communities, so that community members are empowered to take action and implement sustainable solutions.

Our study examined community attitudes towards food insecurity, and whether communities would be ‘empowered’ to effect change in their food environments. These motives are particularly relevant with Clementine Collective since one of its core objectives is to collaborate with communities to understand their local needs and provide resources accordingly based on community feedback. The lack of healthy food options is a significant concern in many communities because food insecurity is a growing, multi-pronged public health issue that has adverse and pervasive effects on many aspects of an individuals’ health. Therefore, sustainable and effective solutions that include multiple stakeholders, both policy makers and community residents, are necessary.

References

1.  Gjording, L. R. (2022, August 4). What is a Bodega? from storeroom to current competition. CitySignal. Retrieved January 24, 2023, from https://www.citysignal.com/what-is-a-bodega
2. Dannefer, R., Williams, D. A., Baronberg, S., & Silver, L. (2012). Healthy Bodegas: Increasing and promoting healthy foods at corner stores in New York City. American Journal of Public Health, 102(10).
3. Clementine collective. H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths, Inc. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2023, from https://www.health4youths.org/clementine-collective.html
4. Solving for Food Insecurity in America's youth: How clubs fill the gap when school is out. Boys & Girls Clubs of America - Providing millions of kids and teens a safe place to develop essential skills, make lasting connections and have fun. (n.d.). Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.bgca.org/news-stories/2022/May/solving-for-food-insecurity-i...
5. Treuhaft, S., & Karpyn, A. (n.d.). (rep.). The Grocery Gap: Who Has Access to Healthy Food and Why It Matters.
6.  Gundersen, C., & Ziliak, J. P. (2015). Food insecurity and health outcomes. Health Affairs, 34(11), 1830-1839.
7.  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Food Accessibility, insecurity and health outcomes. National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. Retrieved February 12, 2023, from https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html#:~:text=Food%20insecurity%20and%20the%20lack,disorders%20and%20other%20chronic%20diseases%20.
8. The Annie E. Casey Foundation. (2021, February 14). Exploring America's food deserts. The Annie E. Casey Foundation. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.aecf.org/blog/exploring-americas-food-deserts
9. Chen D, Jaenicke EC, Volpe RJ. Food Environments and Obesity: Household Diet Expenditure Versus Food Deserts. Am J Public Health. 2016;106(5):881-888.
10. Laverack G. Improving health outcomes through community empowerment: a review of the literature. J Health Popul Nutr. 2006 Mar;24(1):113-20. PMID: 16796158.