Emi Trevena and Sam Zapp
Food Issues in Austin Texas
There are many food-related problems in Central Texas, including: hunger, chemicals in food, importing food from far away and poor nutrition. This article will address them and talk about ways to help.
The first food related problem is hunger. Almost one-fifth of the people in Central Texas don't have a consistent source of food. Many of these people are children, elderly, homeless, or disabled and cannot get their own food; however, there are many organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry. These include Meals on Wheels, Caritas, Mobile Loaves and Fishes and the Capital Area Food Bank. To help the hungry and these organizations, we can volunteer at them or donate food or money.
The second food related problem is dangerous chemicals in food. In the United States we rely on chemicals and pesticides to protect our crops and help our livestock grow and stay healthy. The average apple that you buy at the grocery store contains over thirty pesticides. Unless people grow all their food in their gardens almost all the foods they consume are impossible to eat without the contamination of preservatives added by manufacturers. These chemicals get into the environment and cause pollution to major water sources as well as other parts of the ecosystem. Pesticides and other chemicals are used because they make the food cheaper by keeping it on the shelf longer and protecting it, but they are hazardous for humans to consume and they hurt the environment. Buying organic foods is a great way to avoid dangerous chemicals like pesticides. Stores like Central Market and Whole Foods sell them. These types of foods are more healthy and safe. We can also begin to grow our own gardens and buy more local produce from farmers markets.
The third food related problem is importing foods from far away. A lot of our food is produced and processed in factories and farms up to days away by truck. A handful of this food is grown off-season, causing the quality of the food to be lower. Also, a tremendous amount of pollution is caused by the transportation of foods. Lastly, buying from bigger companies decreases the smaller businesses’ ability to stay in business and provide fresher foods and more environmentally friendly transportation. The large factories are more efficient yet cause more pollution. People could buy more local produce, which would reduce the amount of harm caused to the environment. Again, Central Market, farmers’ markets, and Whole Foods sell fresh local and organic food. Along with this, people will receive fresher, healthier and tastier foods while at the same time balancing the economy.
Another food related problem is poor nutrition. Poor nutrition is often linked to unhealthy school lunches. It can also occur when people can't afford to buy healthy food. Many schools have started giving healthier lunches and removing vending machines, especially at elementary schools, to remove the temptation to eat unhealthy snack food. (Schools could also have started giving free lunches to those who can't afford it.) Poor people often cannot afford to buy healthy nutritious foods. They have to buy fast foods and processed foods which are cheap and have to avoid more expensive organic foods.
There are many organizations in the Austin Area such as Meals on Wheels, Caritas, Mobile Loaves and Fishes and the Capital Area Food Bank that are dedicated to helping the hungry. Meals on Wheels deliver food to the elderly and disabled. Caritas, Mobile Loaves and Fishes and the Capital Area Food Bank have food drives to feed the homeless and hungry. You can volunteer at any of these organizations or make a donation; by doing so you can help the needy and help the environment.
Sources
http://www.austinfoodbank.org/hunger/
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1617242/minimize_your_ecological_footprint.
http://southwestfarmpress.com/grains/wheat-production-0506
http://www.caritasofaustin.org/
http://www.youthlaunch.org/programs/
http://www.ruralways.org.uk/localproducers/intro
http://www.mealsonwheelstulsa.org/aboutus.htm
http://www.ers.usda.gov/Publications/AP/AP036/
http://www.enotalone.com/article/8133.html
http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/energy/
http://www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org/
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
http://www.austinfarmersmarket.org/#myGallery1-picture(5)