The topic of hunger and how it affects people around the world is of great concern to me. A recently published report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has a very detailed study of this topic on a global scale, including possible ways to address the issues. This study is 236 pages long, published online here.
I do not have the stamina to read the entire report, or even much of it, but here is a summary, from the foreword, of the unimaginable scale of the problem:
"This year, this report estimates that between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020 – as many as 161 million more than in 2019. Nearly 2.37 billion people did not have access to adequate food in 2020 – an increase of 320 million people in just one year. No region of the world has been spared. The high cost of healthy diets and persistently high levels of poverty and income inequality continue to keep healthy diets out of reach for around 3 billion people in every region of the world. Moreover, new analysis in this report shows that the increase in the unaffordability of healthy diets is associated with higher levels of moderate or severe food insecurity." (p. 6)
I learned about this here: https://www.foodpolitics.com/2021/07/world-hunger-2021-version/
9 comments:
Very good post.
Food insecurity here is a major issue. I donate to the national Jewish body who work together with local groups to feed people in need. Last week the appeal was to get food to communities affected by the looting. Even where my parents live there was no basic food items.
There's a big difference between food insecurity and healthy diet. There's even a big difference between a healthy diet and income inequality. I never go hungry, but there are times I don't eat healthy. That makes a big difference, too. Thanks for this link. I plan to read at least part of the report.
I see the “two can dine for $ 5.99” on fast food places here so the low price appeals to those who can have a meal for $6. But, as Bleubeard said above, that’s not a healthy option... just an easy & cheap one.
Thanks for the link!
An important topic.
Mae,
I appreciate reading about the important issues you frequently highlight on your blog. Vegan eating can be both frugal and healthy- many societies sustained themselves on corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beans, In fact, I just read The Starch Solution by Dr. McDougal which explains the importance that healthy carbs have always played in our lives.
Thanks for the link. I agree with Bluebeard and Elizabeth, hunger and healthy eating are not treated the same. I have also observed (during my Admin years in a Retirement Apartment Building) the desire to eat healthy pretty much goes out the window if there is any prep required. Couple that with a lacking of cooking skills and we definitely have food insecurities around the world.
Definitely a topic of increasing urgency and importance.
that is incredibly sad and maddening as it is preventable. if only the governments of the world would do the right thing.
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