DEAL Program: Decentralizing Food Production to Fight Hunger

Introduction

Hunger is a prominent problem, particularly in the developing world. Issues such as a lack of ecological responsibility or insufficient knowledge and resources frequently create food insecurity. This is a problem that can be addressed if the correct strategies are implemented. Food insecurity is, for example, more often a problem of distribution than of supply. Having to transport food products over long distances to reach communities is a problem not only of cost, but also of making perishable products available in a timely manner.

A solution offered by this proposal relates to decentralizing and localizing the production of food as much as possible. In this way, more self-sufficient communities can be created, food insecurity can be partially addressed, and dependence on fossil fuels can be reduced. Not only is food insecurity alleviated, but many of the associated ecological and employment problems so often linked to poverty and food scarcity can also be mitigated. This is particularly relevant in the United States, which, despite its considerable financial and other resources, is not doing nearly enough to address its ecological and social problems.

The Problem with the Current Food System

To its credit, the Federal Government is making attempts to address the issue of food insecurity. Numerous federal programs are currently in place, such as the Food Stamp Program and WIC. Additional solutions are also under consideration in Congress. The issue, therefore, is not one of ignorance or inaction; rather, the core problem is that the programs currently in place — and those being considered — do not address one of the major weaknesses in the entire U.S. food system: it is built on an unsustainable model.

To illustrate, packaged food typically available at grocery outlets travels an average of 1,000 miles from its origin. There is a fundamental lack of balance between production, delivery, and availability across communities in need. As noted above, significant environmental, social, and political costs are embedded in the oil dependency created by this system. Transporting goods over large distances requires substantial quantities of oil and fuel, which exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions and transport-related pollution. Combined with the prospect of peak oil production, this model represents a long-term recipe for crisis.

Demographics of Food Insecurity

The demographics related to this problem are significant in illustrating specific poverty levels and racial disparities within the country. When food insecurity is effectively addressed, minority communities can be empowered to participate more fully in American life in a sustainable and viable way.

The statistics reveal stark demographic inequalities. According to the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), as of 2005, 35.1 million people in the United States — over 10% of the population — were experiencing food insecurity. Among African-American and Hispanic populations, this percentage is considerably higher, at 22.4% and 17.9% respectively (Adach-Vollinger, 2006). According to FRAC, the ten states where food insecurity is most prevalent are concentrated in the West and South: New Mexico, Mississippi, Texas, South Carolina, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Utah, Idaho, North Carolina, and Tennessee. If the U.S. government were truly committed to creating prosperity for all its citizens, these communities and their needs would be urgently addressed through sustainable programs.

Conclusion

In general, the program can serve as a model for sustainable community development that addresses food insecurity while simultaneously building ecological responsibility and economic self-reliance. By decentralizing food production and empowering communities at the local level, DEAL represents a meaningful departure from the unsustainable, oil-dependent model that currently underlies the U.S. food system.