Deciphering the Data

Though the United States is one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, our nation bristles with complex, sometimes unprecedented social challenges. And ‘hunger’ is a complicated adversary. The Half a Loaf (HAL) project is exploring how to address this issue in the greater Binghamton area.

 

It’s a hybridized social problem, complicated by poverty, a recession, industrial food systems and suburbanization. Childhood obesity, diabetes and a near total vacuum of fresh, nutritious produce in some places—referred to by the FDA as Food Deserts—confront us. First Lady Michelle Obama brought attention to the problem; the media has covered it extensively; and some of us experience it first hand, because with no supermarkets nearby we have to shop at corner stores or gas station minimarts.

 

Recently, the HAL team set out to collect more information so that we could be a part of the solution. We visited neighborhood meetings, community Thanksgiving dinners at the YMCA and lines of folks queued up at a mobile food pantry. We were privileged to receive the congeniality and cooperation all those we interacted with. At our side, we carried surveys containing questions related to food security. The willingness of the survey participants to respond in great detail was stupendous. We witnessed the inspiring compassion and hard work of our community support agencies, while collecting a substantial amount of survey information. 

 

Our mission is to use this information as the basis of guides to area food resources that are available to everyone and Public Service Announcements that raise the visibility and accessibility of area food agencies. This is critical, because 68 percent of respondents weren't aware of local food agencies hours of operation.

 

These food agencies can be a lifeline when one is facing hunger, so 68 percent is unacceptably low. Financial stability can turn into hardship and hunger with one walk to mailbox, or a single phone call. Our 68% represents citizens of varying income levels, but when and where help is offered should be unanimously public information. Every one deserves to know. 

We’re here to do for food pantries, soup kitchens, local farms and farmers markets what a prime time advertising slot does for Frito-Lay: Turn up the volume. 

 

In a perfect world, everyone would have something to eat. Though we've always been capable of picturing an idyll society in our minds, we’ve never quite realized it.

 

This year, we look forward to engaging more of our community. Hopefully, we'll inch our society closer to perfection, and do with a host a happy stomachs and healthy hearts all around.