A. I do believe that America should provide more funding for the SNAP program. The increase should be fair and based on the current inflating prices that plagues the supermarkets.
Q. How should Americans define "food insecurity?" How should Americans define " starving? What solutions can Americans use to overcome food insecurity and starving in America?
A. Food insecurity should be defined as not having enough nutritious food to feed all members of the family on a daily basis. Starving in America should be defined as any one or family that has to skip a whole days meal due to lack of funds to provide food.
Some solutions that America can use to over come food insecurity and staving is to first get rid of the broken food assistance program from the 1930's and implement one that meets the needs of the modern day Americans afflicted with struggles to provide sufficient food for their family and themselves. Another way to combat this issue is for the Local and State Representatives to continue trying to get congress to put the necessary laws and grants in place that will help eradicate food insecurity and starving.
Q. Do you live in a food desert? how can America feed people living in food deserts?
A. Fortunately I don't live in a food desert and it is something I never take for granted. I live across the street from one of Pennsylvania's largest supermarket chains and within walking distance from another supermarket and a farmers market. All flowing over with an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies. People in food deserts in America can be fed by building new supermarkets in these communities.
For the 23 million Americans who live in food deserts, Michelle Obama's announcement today may be a ray of sunshine. As part of her "Let's Move" campaign, the First Lady is joining forces with leaders from major retailers, foundations and small businesses committing to provide access to healthy, affordable food to people in underserved communities.
In an address broadcast live today on the White House's website, Mrs. Obama announced that nationwide food retailers including SUPERVALU, Walgreens, Walmart and other regional retailers will open or expand over 1,500 stores in areas that need it most.
The First Lady Mrs. Obama states that, "it's a matter of shifting the power into the hands of parents. She said today, “We can give people all the information and advice in the world about healthy eating and exercise, but if parents can’t buy the food they need to prepare those meals because their only options for groceries are the gas station or the local mini-mart, then all that is just talk."
The First Lady continued, "Let’s Move is about giving parents real choices about the food their kids are eating, and today’s announcement means that more parents will have a fresh food retailer right in their community – a place that sells healthy food, at reasonable prices, so they can feed their families the way they want.”
Q. Should America rely on charities to feed the hungry? How much of a reliance?
A. In short charities are a great way to get help feeding the hungry but, I do believe that it is the government's job to feed and take care of the needs of their people. The reliance on charities should be by choice.
Q. In what ways can America better subsidize it's farming industry and it's crop production?
One way that America can better subsidize it's farming industry is by looking into ways to provide better nutritional crops that will meet the needs of the American people and in the long run contribute to a more healthy life style. Another way is stated in this essay reposted By Jonathan Foley in an article in Scientific American. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/time-to-rethink-corn/.
Q.What are the most common myths and misconceptions about those who depend on food banks and other food assistance programs?
A. Some of the most common myths about people that depend on food banks to me starts with the idea that they are lazy and unproductive.I found this article that out lines six of the biggest myths about this issue. http://billmoyers.com/2013/10/08/six-myths-about-food-stamps/.