Food Security
Introduction of Food Security
Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food which meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Household food security is the application of this concept to the family level, with individuals within households as the focus of concern.
Food insecurity exists when people do not have adequate physical, social or economic access to food as defined above.
In 2018, an estimated 1 in 9 Americans were food insecure, equating to over 37 million America, including more than 11 million children. According to Feeding America, around 17 million people may have experienced food insecurity in 2020, due to the pandemic.
Food security is considered a complex problem that is caused by multiple, overlapping issues like lack of affordable housing, social isolation, chronic or acute health problems, high medical costs, and low wages.
Local
Food security is an issue not only within the Grand Rapids area, but within the Grand Valley student population as well. Many low income students become food insecure because of the lack of diverse, fresh foods made available to them at a reasonable cost. Campus dining and grocery stores are often not accessible to students struggling with food insecurity, and initiatives by Sustainable Agriculture Project aim to reduce the food insecurity among the student population. The Sustainable Agriculture Project provides students with the opportunity to rent a plot of land to grow food using tools provided to them, as well as extra seeds and plants that are not used. 
National
Food security can also be talked about at a national level. Understanding food security at a national level can be found by analyzing the agricultural processes of a nation. Nations around the globe can reduce the risk of food insecurity by ensuring farm biosecurity: measures taken to prevent the risk of introducing or spreading viruses, bacteria to plants and animals such as livestock. The access to healthy, affordable food is important for a nation to attain food security, and can be achieved by improving markets and trade throughout nations. National food security can be secured by creating jobs and opportunities in areas such as farms, businesses, and entrepreneurs that store, process, market, and distribute food locally and regionally.
Global
Talking about global food security, includes the conversation that not all areas of the world are able to grow a sustainable amount of food. Certain communities of the world live in areas that are not entirely suitable for crop growth, and this reduces the accessibility to proper food and nutrition. In addition, global food security can be disrupted due to emergency disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, and climate change that can reduce accessibility and availability to food. Long term economic and sustainable growth can also prevent communities from getting access to proper food and nutrition that is affordable. The Four Main Components of Food Security
Availability
There is a reliable and consistent source of quality food
Accessibility
People have sufficient resources to produce and/or purchase food.
Stability
People's ability to access and utilize food that remains stable and sustained over time.
Utilization
People have the knowledge and basic sanitary conditions to choose, prepare, and distribute food that results in good nutrition.
Why is Food a Security Issue?
Implementation Plan
Timeline
A Green Market Presence is the marketing of organic/environmentally friendly services and/or products. With this timeline, the SAP will be able to provide services and products not only to Grand Valley students but to the public.
Budget
Advertisements: This cost will include marketing on social media and media campaigns
*Plot Rent: This is normally $25 at the SAP
*Seed Cost: Free if students and locals bring their own. Seeds normally cost $1-$5 depending on the seed variety
*Hoop Houses: This is a rough estimate as the cost will depend on the square footage, coverings, steel frames, and the end walls
Campus Housing: This price includes cost for campus dining
*Sustainable Activities, Cooking Classes, and Holiday Activities: These costs will include venue, time, decor, teacher/instructors, etc)
Triple Bottom Line
People
- Improve access to clean drinking water
- Reduce waste
- Food preparation
- Build home and community gardens
Planet
- Reduce emissions
- Protect resources
- Use land responsibly
- Reduce climate change
Profit
- Increase Yield
- Prices
- Markets
- Crop production
References
“Grand Valley State University.” 2021 Community Garden - Sustainable Agriculture Project - Grand Valley State University, Apr. 2021, https://www.gvsu.edu/sustainableagproject/cms-form-edit.htm?formId=15690D17-A4BB-92A2-1346D2927B4E92EB.
“Grand Valley State University.” Sustainability Issues: Food - Sustainability Guide - Grand Valley State University, 30 Sept. 2015, https://www.gvsu.edu/sustainabilityguide/sustainability-issues-food-8.htm.
“Grand Valley State University.” Sustainable Food Practices - Sustainable Agriculture Project - Grand Valley State University, 1 June 2021, https://www.gvsu.edu/sustainableagproject/sustainable-food-practices-19.htm.
"Food Security in the U.S." U.S. Department of Agriculture. September 2021, https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/
"The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021" Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2021, https://www.fao.org/state-of-food-security-nutrition
"Food" United Nations. 2021, https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/food
