PP 4 Wild Card

Wild Card

Food Scarcity

Food Scarcity is a shortage of food supply that may occur when not enough food is produced. It can occur when crops fail such as dry out or become flooded, when pests over populate the crops, or there is a dry out from a lack of moisture being produced which can e a reaction from the sun. 

It’s a big problem in many states, including billions of people including children. There are many causes for food insecurity in the world, but many people don’t fit the definition of food scarcity. People facing hunger struggle with high living costs, expensive housing, unemployment, and low-wage jobs. Individuals who don’t have a lot of money can’t afford to buy food regularly and may live in places where there aren’t many stores that sell healthy food at a good price. Even if you’re careful with your money and savings, paying for a place to live can be so expensive that it can be hard to have enough left over to buy food.

If someone has a long-term health issue, it can be harder for them to work and earn enough money. It also can affect how healthy that person can eat due to healthier food being more expensive. They may also have to spend a lot of money on medical bills. People of color, those with disabilities, and LGTBQ are at higher risk of food insecurity due to systemic discrimination and poverty. The lack of access to enough nutritious food can have serious consequences on people’s health and well-being. People who experience food insecurity are more likely to experience malnutrition and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

What can we do to prevent it?

A few ways to solve food scarcity are reducing unnecessary food waste, increasing education and knowledge about food scarcity, and diversifying protein sources. Food insecurity may be long term or temporary, but the risk of food scarcity increases when money to buy food is limited or not available. High unemployment rates among low-income populations make it difficult to meet basic household food needs. Neighborhood conditions may affect physical access to food as well. In addition, reduced frequency, quality and variety of consumed foods may have a negative effect on children’s mental health.

Other ways to incorporate the fix of food scarcity is more charity events. There are various opportunities in giving back and feeding the community, but the wealthiest of us all tend to hide their funds. Honestly with as many wealthy people we have there is no reason for any family to go hungry. Websites such as Hunger in America  can most definitely make a change to food scarcity. Food assistance programs, such as National School Lunch Programs and WIC programs help with accessing healthier foods for children.

Food Stamps are the largest food assistance program in the nation. What they call SNAP's are provided from the government for helping families that doesn't make enough income to live comfortably and buy groceries. Together with school meals and WIC, it provides a nutritional safety net for low-income citizens. Although they have all these programs, there are still greater families that are in need of food. Nearly 13% of U.S. households were food insecure in 2022.

The claim of Food Scarcity 

Food scarcity is not just caused by failure of production, or low income households but also by market competition. As more and more stores become available more people shop with the newer markets. That cause stores to be in competition knocking whatever stores can't stand out of business. The main focus on food scarcity is finding a way to prevent it. The factors that causes food scarcity needs to alter in order to see a major decline in the source. Government concerns help by making these programs for those in need, but everyone doesn’t have the proper requirements needed or access or receive these governmental fixes. Governmental fixes also can and will only go so far for the communities.