With Thanksgiving just ending, we wanted to take some time to talk about the prevalent issue of food insecurity in the United States and globally. We understand the power of having choices when grocery shopping is a privilege - and want to share some resources to help support the fight against food insecurity.
In this week’s blog post, we’ll share some statistics, resources, and charities focused on eliminating food insecurity. In keeping with this theme, we’re hosting a give back drive over on our Instagram (where you can also find some of this information). Finally, for every membership subscription purchased in the upcoming week (from today to Friday), we will donate 25% of the proceeds to Feeding America.
What Is Food Insecurity?
“A person is food insecure when they lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life” (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2023). Food insecurity may occur due to lack of access to food and/or resources. Hunger is defined as the painful or uncomfortable physical sensation resulting from insufficient dietary energy. Therefore, someone who is severely food insecure has likely also experienced hunger.
Around 735 million people faced hunger in 2023
Food insecurity has been shown to have a wide impact; causing serious health issues, making it difficult for children to learn and grow, and forcing difficult decisions for families like choosing between food and rent, bills, and transportation (Feeding America, 2023).
According to the USDA, 17 million U.S. households were food insecure at some point during 2022.
Resources
Here are some places to learn more about the state of food insecurity in our country and globally:
Non-Profits Focused on Food Insecurity
If you’re interested in donating to families who are struggling with food insecurity this holiday season, please consider giving your time or resources to the following non-profit organizations:
Finally, as mentioned, we will be giving 25% of membership subscription purchases to Feeding America for subscriptions purchased TODAY through Friday. If you’re interested in participating, simply subscribe to the Membership from "My Account" in the Trash Panda app, and be sure to remain subscribed after the free trial period.
Donating to food banks
In a world where many individuals and families face the daily challenge of putting food on the table, the role of food banks becomes increasingly vital. By making thoughtful choices in our donations, we can have a profound impact on the well-being of those relying on these essential community resources.
Items to include when donating to food banks:
Organic nut butters (good source of iron, protein, and more)
Organic pasta or gluten-free pasta
Organic Rice
Organic Applesauce (good source of fiber and vitamin C)
Crackers (whole grain contains more fiber and nutrients)
Granola bars (look for options with less sugar)
Raw Nuts (good source of protein, fiber, and healthy fat)
Canned or packaged soup or bone broth (good source of protein)
Meat sticks like Chomps or Beef Jerky (good source of protein)
Items to avoid when donating to food banks:
For any of the foods above, be sure to read the ingredient label and ensure there are no unnecessary additives or added sugar
Refrigerated items (produce, meat, and dairy all spoil easily)
Expired items (make sure to double check the "use-by" or "best-by" date)
Food with packaging concerns (make sure to look for dents, previously opened packaging, and glass containers)
Baked goods and leftovers (since food banks can't confirm the ingredients, they can't be donated)
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