What's Being Done?

The underlying issues of institutional racism involving food production and distribution are so embedded not only within our society but also within the global realm that there are many local and national initiatives that either alleviate or remedy the problem. Another way to recognize and approach the inequality of healthy food distribution is to change the policies and infrastructure regarding food.

Locally:
Delridge Community (Seattle) - Fresh food available at corner markets and convenience stores:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSLTZbBhNkk -



State/Regionally:
Washington's State Food Assistance

Thanks to the Washington’s State Food Assistance (SFA) program, those who meet the federal income criteria can receive look-alike benefits funded by the state. Formed in 1997 as a response to federal legislation that denied benefits to hungry people without permanent residency, SFA serves 14,000 people—including 1,300 children and 2,000 elders. Because immigrants must establish five years of residency before applying to SNAP, this important program tides them over while they build capacity and stability in a new place. http://lettucelink.blogspot.com/2010/12/threats-to-food-security-for-immigrants.html


Nationally:

U.S. Senate Bill Would Ban Junk Food Sales in US Schools
An example is Senator Blanche Lincoln's proposal of banning the sale of junk on school campuses with $4.5 billion over 10 years spent on school lunches and nutrition programs. The plan is to set nutrition standards for all foods sold at school and taking local policies into account which means banning junk food. Nearly 32 million children are fed daily through the school lunch program and nearly 11 million pupils are in the school breakfast program. Some 63 percent of the meals are free or available at a low price.This would address the high rates of obesity and diabetes.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/17/food-usa-schools-idUSN1715006520100317?pageNumber=1