It may come as a surprise that the United States, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, is facing a major issue of food insecurity. Unfortunately, hunger is a systemic and alarmingly large problem, both nationally and in Ohio. According to Feeding America, 1,391,290 people in Ohio are food insecure, with 386,430 of them being children. Even more concerning is that one out of every seven children in Ohio goes hungry every day and, due to cuts in early benefits, food insecurity is only increasing.
The Columbus Dispatch reported Tuesday that 700,000 low-income Ohio households could suffer major cuts in the food stamp program in July when aid for the COVID pandemic expires. This crisis is due to decades of disinvestment in American food systems and manufacturing capacity in favor of the relocation of those products. In response to this growing problem, one adolescent in Columbus is taking action. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and economic downturn, they are working hard to make sure that those who are struggling to put food on their tables can get the help they need. It is essential that we take steps to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious meals and that no one goes hungry.
We must also work to create a more equitable food system that provides everyone with access to healthy and affordable food. Food insecurity in Columbus is a serious issue that needs to be addressed.
