Food Insecurity

The True Cost of Food Is Far Higher Than What You Spend at the Checkout Counter

What if the cost of groceries isn’t actually realistic? While retail food prices are stabilizing, the hidden costs of food production — from environmental damage to social impacts — continue to rise. Discover the concept of true cost accounting, a method that uncovers our food system's real economic, environmental, and health costs and how we can shift toward more sustainable and equitable solutions.

Kathleen Merrigan · November 27, 2024 · 5 min read

Farming with Pride: LGBTQ-Led Farms and Organizations to Support

Not all US farmers fit into the stereotype of an old white man in flannel and overalls. There is a growing queer agricultural contingent seeking increased inclusivity and community. LGBTQ+ farmers challenge historical barriers in agriculture, while also leading the way in envisioning (and bringing to fruition) a more equitable and sustainable farming future, where anyone can grow healthy food, and everyone can thrive.

Ocean Robbins · April 26, 2024 · 12 min read

Is Wheat Healthy? Examining the Pros and Cons of Wheat

Wheat is one of the biggest sources of calories in the human diet. But is it good for you? Should you avoid gluten? What about all those carbs? And is there a difference between modern wheat and ancient grains in terms of nutrition and health?

Ocean Robbins · February 21, 2024 · 13 min read

Why America’s Food Security Crisis Is a Water Security Crisis, Too

Uncover the often-overlooked issue of water insecurity in the United States, its impact on public health, and the innovative strategies being explored to address this critical challenge. As we delve into the intersections of health care, public policy, and environmental factors, this article sheds light on the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to ensuring access to both food and clean water for all.

Lela Nargi · January 19, 2024 · 7 min read

What Is Fonio? Get to Know This Ancient Supergrain from Africa

Imagine a food crop that defies drought, thrives in depleted soil, and is easy on the environment. It packs a powerful nutritional punch, and is gluten-free and rich in whole grain goodness. This supercrop not only tastes amazing but also cooks quickly, conserving energy. Introducing fonio, the most amazing cereal crop most people have never heard of. Discover why, despite its many positive qualities, fewer and fewer farmers want to grow it, and what you can do to help.

Ocean Robbins · October 11, 2023 · 10 min read

From Hunger to Hope: Addressing Food Insecurity in the LGBTQ+ Community

Food insecurity is a problem that touches many communities, but some more than others. In this article, we explore how the LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately affected by food insecurity, the organizations that are leading the charge to support food access, and how you can help make a difference in fighting for healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for all.

Liana Minassian and Rodrigo Rodriguez · June 14, 2023 · 9 min read

Can You Use EBT to Buy Seeds? A Guide to Using SNAP Benefits to Grow Your Own Food

SNAP is a US government program that provides financial assistance to help low-income people feed themselves and their families. One mostly unknown feature of the program is the ability to use it to purchase seeds and plants that will grow into healthy, fresh produce. In this article, we’ll look at how to make use of this benefit, as well as how to navigate and overcome the obstacles that may arise.

Ocean Robbins · March 15, 2023 · 10 min read

What’s Causing the Global Food Crisis? (And How Plant-Based Diets Can Help!)

There’s a food shortage going on that’s unlike anything we’ve seen in the last 40 years. Billions of people around the world are now chronically hungry, and tens of millions may face imminent famine and starvation. So what’s going on that’s different from years past? And what, if anything, can we do as individuals to begin to make a difference?

Ocean Robbins · November 18, 2022 · 9 min read

Can Restaurants Be Sources of Good for People & the Planet?

The restaurant industry has some big problems. The pandemic, inflation, and a shortage of workers have all taken their toll. But a growing number of restaurants are taking bold and innovative steps to not only stay afloat — but to also contribute to healthy people and a healthy planet. Here’s what you need to know about sustainable and socially responsible restaurants, and how you can enjoy a night out (or a night of takeout), with a clean conscience and a happy tummy.

Ocean Robbins · August 26, 2022 · 14 min read

Monocropping: A Disastrous Agricultural System

Monocropping — the growing of a single crop over and over on the same piece of land — was invented to increase the food supply and combat hunger. Unfortunately, its unintended consequences threaten greater global food insecurity and worsen climate change. In this article, we'll explore monocropping pros and cons (spoiler alert: more cons than pros) and look at alternative growing methods that you can support.

Ocean Robbins · March 18, 2022 · 16 min read

Food Inequality: How Poor Nutrition Affects Health, Wealth, & Opportunity (And What We Can Do About It!)

When millions of people suffer from malnutrition, either due to insufficient calories or a lack of access to affordable, wholesome food, their health, wealth, resilience, and even their mental clarity are impacted. If we want to create a just and sustainable world, we must tackle the twin issues of food inequality and food insecurity.

Ocean Robbins · September 10, 2021 · 17 min read

Community Gardens Are Growing Health, Food, & Opportunity

Community gardens are a great way to increase food security, improve public health, and even reduce crime rates. With a variety of setups, locations, and goals, they can play an important role in making healthy, ethical, and sustainable food available to ever more people.

Ocean Robbins · August 4, 2021 · 15 min read