The United States today is the wealthiest and arguably the most politically powerful country in human history. And yet millions of Americans live in poverty, without access to enough calories to live a healthy and active lifestyle. How can this possibly be the case?
The systemic problem of food security in the United States has many roots. In this article, we’ll shed some light on the fundamental causes of the problem, as well as some potential solutions. We’ll also explore farm land financing and how it can help combat the problem of food insecurity in the US.
What Is Food Insecurity?
The phrase “food insecurity” might make you think of images of famine-stricken areas that you’ve seen in National Geographic. While famines are certainly extreme cases, food insecurity can also manifest itself in less dramatic – but still deadly – forms.
Take the case of the United States, for example. This country has never been gripped by a full-fledged famine, but it is nonetheless afflicted by chronic food insecurity. Basically, it all comes down to daily caloric intake. If you have access to enough calories each day to lead a healthy lifestyle, then you enjoy food security. If you’re unable to provide regularly sufficient calories for yourself and your family, that’s what we would call food insecurity. Today, it’s estimated that as many as many as one in nine Americans are food insecure.
What Will Happen with Food Insecurity in the US?
The problem of food insecurity in the US is fundamentally an issue of unequal access to resources. Lower-income Americans simply don’t have access to the same quality of healthcare, opportunity, or nutrition that more affluent Americans enjoy. As of 2020, there are no federally-funded programs in place to ensure that all Americans enjoy food security. That’s a sobering fact of life in modern America.
But here’s the good news: There are several privately-funded organizations and companies out there that are committed to ending food insecurity in the United States. NGOs like Feeding America and Meals On Wheels are at the vanguard of this nationwide effort. And individual farmers, furthermore, can also play a part in the fight against food insecurity. They can start with farm land financing, which can provide the financial means to start cutting back on food waste.
Learn More About Farm Land Financing
Ending food insecurity in the US is a struggle that will require everyone’s effort. If you’re interested in learning more about farm land financing, please contact us today!