Fighting Hunger in America

The world produces enough food every day to feed every single man, woman, and child – 7 billion people – 2,700 calories, several hundred more than the recommended daily amount for most adults. The National Resources Defense Council released a report in 2012 documenting that 40 percent of food in the United States goes uneaten, equivalent to 20 pounds of food per person every month and $165 billion wasted each year. Yet, the World Food Programme (WFP) reports that one in eight people – 842 million people – go to bed hungry every night. Most live in developing countries, and children and women are particularly susceptible. Sixty-six million primary-aged school children attend classes hungry across the developing world.

Hunger is traditionally described as needing something to eat and is most commonly visually represented as a complete absence of food. Yet the issue of hunger is much more multi-faceted, involving both malnutrition and undernourishment. Undernourishment occurs when people have food but their intake does not meet daily caloric needs for their body. Malnutrition occurs when the physical function of a person is impaired and cannot maintain natural growth, be it physical or intellectual. Living on a significantly less daily caloric intake then recommended day after day can have lasting repercussions, especially for youth. Poor nutrition is the cause of death for nearly 3.1 million children under the age of 5 every year.

A 2010 New York Times article detailed this struggle in “The Obesity-Hunger Paradox.” The South Bronx, possessing one of the highest obesity rates in the country, was found to have the most severe hunger-related issues in the United States. How can people be both obese and hungry?

Many advocates agains...

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...till suffering from chronic hunger. That number is down from 17 percent of the population recorded from 1990-1992. The numbers are dropping but slowly and not at the rate that was outlined in the UN Millennium Development Goal. The number of undernourished people was supposed to be halved by 2015. The slow progress could prove disheartening but Rubbel and Smith continue their work along with many others.

“It’s the people who work here,” said Smith. “The people I see everyday. We’re like a family. We’re not a faith-based organization but we do the Lord’s work. I have a passion for fighting hunger.”

Sidebar/quote:

“Never doubt a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever had.”

-- Margaret Mead, American anthropologist and Past Executive Secretary on the National Research Council’s Committee on Food Habits