Food Security
Food Security
Food security is defined by HDFFA as the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, culturally preferred, nutritious food that is sustainably produced in Central Oregon. To improve food security, HDFFA invests in a just and equitable food system by supporting food that is produced in ways that protect the health of the land, those who work it, and the families and communities who consume its bounty, and where anyone can access this food.
We recognize that many food assistance policies were created with inequities due in large part to historical and current systemic injustices. These inequities continue to operate within our food system and adversely affect levels of food insecurity, specifically among Black, Native American, and Hispanic households, as well as households with children headed by a single woman (Oregon Hunger Task Force).
Statistics
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30 million people lack access to healthy food, including 8% of rural families living 10 miles+ from a grocery store, a concern highest among Native American populations.
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1 in 6 people work in the food system with many having poverty-level wages.
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Every day nearly 16 million children go to bed hungry; with 33% of Black, 25% Latino, and 16% of white children experiencing food insecurity on a daily basis.
The Reality for Central Oregonians
In 2021, it was projected that 13.6% or 35,075 people will experience food insecurity and only 43% qualify for federal assistance (SNAP, WIC, or other funds); this means that nearly 19,993 people who are food insecure are not receiving federal assistance. On average, 44% of school-aged youth rely on free or reduced meals at schools to support their daily diet. County-level data varies between each county (Feeding America)
- Crook – 2,740 residents are food insecure (12%) with an average meal cost of $6.63
- Deschutes – 18,800 residents are food insecure (10%) with an average meal cost of $3.72
- Jefferson – 2,920 residents are food insecure (12%) with an average meal cost of $3.45
Improving food Security
We strengthen the ties between traditional food security efforts (food bank) and building healthy food systems (farm to plate) by purchasing food directly from local farmer Partners for our Food Access programs. We provide educational materials about how to shop, prepare, cook and store local and fresh foods, and reduce transportation barriers by meeting people where they are or providing financial support. We partner with regional organizations to improve access for residents that have been marginalized due to systems and policies that do not adequately meet their needs.
- $1234,856 of food purchased from local farmers for our Food Access programs
- 5,648 Fresh Harvest Kits delivered throughout the region, an equivalent of 22,592 meals and 25,033 pounds of food
- 50+ health care and non-profit partners
- 130,000 lbs. of food from farmers and gardeners provided to NeighborImpact Food Bank through Grow & Give, which is the equivalent of 103,000+ meals.
- $23,154 paid to farmers for their donations to Grow & Give thanks to grants from the NW Farm Credit Services, Deschutes County, Central Oregon Health Council, Oregon Community Foundation, Whole Cities Foundation, and the USDA’s Community Food Project.
Food Access Terms
These working definitions help guide our everyday work in running our Food Access programs, building community relationships, and planning for future projects.
Food justice is a view of the food systems that sees healthy food as a basic human right and addresses structural barriers to eliminating disparities and inequities. From our friends at Food Share: “food justice means working to dismantle systemic forms of oppression that exist in our food system and in our food movement.”
Food equity is the expansive concept that all people have the ability and opportunity to grow and to consume healthful, affordable, and culturally significant foods (University at Buffalo)
Food security is access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food that is produced locally, sustainably, and in a way that positively benefits local economies.
National and Oregon-based Education, Policy, and Food Access Resources
This list features national and Oregon-based organizations that are BIPOC led and inspired by missions and programs centered around diversity, equity, and belonging within the food system.
- Adelante Mujeres
- Black Oregon Land Trust
- Black Food Sovereignty Coalition
- Familias en Acción
- Mudbone Grown
- Micronesian Islander Community
- National Black Farmer Association
- National Farm Workers Ministry
- North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems
- Soul Fire Farm
- Warm Springs Community Action Team
This list features national and Oregon organizations that provide financial assistance, food assistance, and food advocacy programs.
Contact
Abigail Gustke
Community Food Access Coordinator
(541) 610-6046
abigail@hdffa.org
Contact
Emily Ralston
Rural Food Security Coordinator
(541) 390-3246
emily@hdffa.org
