Written by: Andy Hachadorian

No matter your political stance, party or affiliation, no one can argue that the food insecurity this nation and world face is getting worse every day.

With a new administration and looming cuts that clearly affect the poorest Americans, organizations like Fiorenza’s Food For Friends (F4) are looking at a job that’s getting harder, not easier.

According to New Society, “Between rising food costs, climate-related disruptions, and the lingering effects of supply chain vulnerabilities, millions of people across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are struggling to access affordable, nutritious food. Food banks are overwhelmed, small farmers are facing increasing pressures, and even middle-class families are adjusting their diets due to soaring prices.”

As their article accurately points out, “As the realities of food insecurity set in, the question is no longer whether we should address the issue—but how quickly and effectively we can take action.”

Read the full article here.

New Society makes the point that hunger and the lack of enough food – and enough good food – is about more than just not enough to eat but additionally about the toll it takes on people everywhere. It’s a physical, emotional and economic effect.

This hits children the hardest putting them at risk for issues like developmental delays, poorer academic performance and other, longer term health issues. Families are forced to choose between paying rent or feeding them and their children and the elderly, who face additional pressures, are more likely to turn to groups like F4 for help.

According to New Society, 40% of food in North America is wasted. Aligning with the mission of F4, they push the notion of embracing food recovery and “innovative waste reduction strategies.”

Much like the mission of F4, they stress the need for retailers and restaurants to donate surplus food rather than discarding it. The sad truth, however, is that it’s much easier and less time consuming to simply toss the food into a Dumpster. That’s when we must act, reach out, promote and encourage retailers and restaurants to let us do the work. 

That effort is hard, takes time and volunteers but has a light at the end of the tunnel. The political solution – especially in 2025 – is much more difficult and unfortunately is looking at a tsunami of ill will, disdain for the poor and an unwillingness to embrace the simple human desire to help a fellow citizen.

School lunches, food the poor, etc., are unfortunately all in the crosshairs of a new, less empathetic administration that is gunning to trim the federal budget at times at the cost to its most needy people.

We must all dig a little deeper – into our wallets and our schedules – to make up for what’s missing in our government. I have said all along that we should never rely on government for help. We must provide for ourselves the best we can and more important, help provide for those who can’t do it themselves. That’s the obligation of being a human on this planet earth.

Today, learn about F4, donate your time and whatever financial assistance you can. Learn about the programs, volunteer or become an advocate for food recovery in the Delaware Valley. It’s only through education and information that will we be able to make food recovery and donation not an exception but the rule. Going hungry isn’t a good alternative…