Food Insecurity in Dayton; Why It Matters and What You Can Do To Help

Food Insecurity in Dayton; Why It Matters and What You Can Do To Help

Presenter(s)

Meagan Coveny, Mohamed S. Jalloh, Grace Steffen, Logan Trzeciak

Comments

Presentation: 3:20 p.m.-3:50 p.m., Kennedy Union 312

This project reflects research conducted as part of a course project designed to give students experience in the research process.

Course: HRS 200

Description

Everyday, around the world, people of all ages face food insecurity. According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food…”. Food insecurity is not simply being hungry, but a failure to provide people access to food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies food insecurity as a lack of “consistent, dependable access to adequate food for active, healthy living.” Many organizations have made it their priority to address these issues and help those in need. In Dayton, a meal on average costs $3.05 per person, 31% higher than the national average. The child hunger rate in Montgomery County is 41.4% higher than the national average, according to a report from data-analysis firm, Stacker. However, there are many causes that lead to food insecurity in Dayton, and across the country. A report filed by the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission found that the most common causes for food insecurity are low economic status and physical access to food. In Dayton, there is a larger focus on the latter cause of food insecurity. Gem City Market is a local co-op grocery store that is helping to provide the physical access to nutritious food options to the Dayton community. Despite only being open for less than 5 years now, the Market has become a glimmer of hope to those who have struggled to find solutions to issues in Dayton surrounding food insecurity. Our research will focus on the efforts of activists to solve food insecurity and document the stories of those who have struggled with food insecurity both on and off the University of Dayton campus. This project will also engage the University of Dayton community in educating on why food insecurity is prevalent in Dayton and effective ways that the school community can help alleviate these burdens. One way that this project will do so will be through encouraging listeners to shop at the Gem City Market and show how this action helps diminish food insecurity in Dayton.

Publication Date

4-20-2022

Project Designation

Course Project

Primary Advisor

Tereza M. Szeghi

Primary Advisor's Department

English

Keywords

Stander Symposium project, College of Arts and Sciences

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Sustainable Cities and Communities; Zero Hunger

Food Insecurity in Dayton; Why It Matters and What You Can Do To Help

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