Alexandra Scofield

Professor Angela

Rough Draft English 1201

24 March 24, 2019

Why are there people who are starving while there are others who are severely obese or

overweight? These are the questions no one seems to feel comfortable asking or answering. They

don’t make sense. They should be easy to understand and answer. Well I am here to ask and

hopefully search for solutions to this uneven distribution of sustenance. While there may not be

just one solution to it, maybe we can find ways to help and understand the issues presented in

this paper.

First, I will evaluate the reality and numbers of what we are facing. Then we will discuss some

causes of possibly why this has become an issue, finally I will shed light on actions that we can

take in our daily lives that possibly can make a difference for everyone around us. We can make

huge changes and support others who are also looking to improve the health of the people. The

global food crisis isn’t so much about the uneven distribution but more about the quality of life

for the people, the planet and their health. Let’s elaborate!

With quality of life being brought up this is a good time to discuss the numbers of what we are

facing today. Globally, in 2012, 1.9 billion were underfed and 1.6 billion were overweight. (The

Consuming Geographies of Food). By 2000 the average number of calories being consumed by a

middle-class American was 3,900. Doesn’t that make you wonder what it is today? Something
else to consider is that we are producing enough food (fresh, whole foods) but 1/3 of it is thrown

away when it is in the “edible state” so think of 1/3 of all our apples being picked right from the

tree and into the trash. Why would these kinds of foods be thrown away? Demand? It isn’t

picture perfect for the shelves? My understanding from this research so far is that they are not as

easily acquired as the foods that are more common and easier to get. Sometimes the things that

are being grown and sold to us are more expensive and not available to everyone. This has

become an issue in other countries as well like India (The Growing Geographies of Food) where

people report that there is food available but much too expensive for themselves and their

families. This is also an issue in America, the kinds of things that should help a family’s food

security are not truly able to be gotten and usually aren’t preferred.

In the thesis that Ketra Letrell wrote called Measuring the Likelihood of Food Insecurity and

Adult Consumption of Fruits and Vegetables in Ohio’s “Food Deserts” she evaluated the

geographies of neighborhoods and how close they were to a place where prepared food is served

right away; and how much farther they must travel to get foods that would stock their

refrigerators instead. Almost every time, the places where people here in Ohio, specifically in

were much closer to an instant food service instead of a place where fresh healthy food is

available.

Healthy food is barley an option for those who live in lower income areas, and not a first choice

either. For those who can afford it are choosing not to and not seeing the effects that it has. This

is keeping the demand for things that are harmful for others, ourselves, as well as our planet up

and the large amount of food waste right where it is at.

After my research on the World Hunger Education website it seems that it is the same in other

countries. Especially in the countries whose resources that we demand more, it is harder for them
to find any sustenance at all because their lands are stripped, and they are already more poverty

stricken to begin with.

One solution to consider that would help the uneven destruction of quality foods is to plan meals

for the week. To take 10 minutes out of the beginning of the weeknight and decide where or

what you are eating can greatly cut down on the amount of food that gets thrown out of the end

of the week. Another action to consider that helps cut down on the large business, is to shop

locally! When we support small businesses and farmers that want to provide wholesome food we

could offer our money there first. Finally, an option to consider is to learn as much as we can

about where our food comes from. The research I did for this paper has shed light for me on how

important it can be to connect with our meals. We can also try to connect with others by

volunteering locally at a garden or a place where hungry people go to eat!

Right now, world hunger and poor health are major issues the world is facing. This doesn’t mean

that with a little education and mindfulness that this cant be changed. Hopefully with continued

research and action from more people the numbers presented in this paper can go down and the

lives of everyone can be improved and there will no longer be starving humans.
Works Cited. (No visuals for my paper)

World Hunger, Education. “World Food Crisis: What's Behind It What We Can Do.” World

Hunger News, 2008, www.worldhunger.org/world-food-crisis/. (Website#1

Brown, Lester R. Full Planet, Empty Plates: the New Geopolitics of Food Scarcity. New York :

W. W. Norton , 2012. (Book)

Rice, Ketra Lachell. “Measuring the Likelihood of Food Insecurity and Adult Consumption of

Fruits and Vegetables in Ohio's 'Food Deserts' / by Ketra Lachell Rice.” Ohio State University ,

Columbus, Ohio State University , 2007, pp. 1–140. (Scholarly Article)

Shaw, Hillary J. The Consuming Geographies of Food: Diet, Food Deserts and Obesity.

Routledge, 2017 (Scholarly Article)

Menker, Sara, director. A Global Food Crisis May Be Less Than A Decade Away. Ted, Ted,

2017,

www.ted.com/talks/sara_menker_a_global_food_crisis_may_be_only_a_decade_away?language

=en. (Someone I could interview)

Jacobson, Kristi and Lori Silverbush, directors. A Place at the Table. Jiro Dreams of Sushi

(Official Movie Site) - Directed by David Gelb - Available on DVD and Blu-Ray™ - Trailer,

Pictures & More, 2013, www.magpictures.com/aplaceatthetable/. (Documentary)

United, Nations. “Sustainable Development Goals.” United Nations Foundation, 2019,

unfoundation.org/what-we-do/issues/sustainable-development-goals/. (Website #2)

“The World Food Crisis.” New York Times , 2008. (Newspaper)

World Hunger Education. “World Food Crisis: What's Behind It What We Can Do.” World

Hunger News, 2008, www.worldhunger.org/world-food-crisis/. (Website#1

Brown, Lester R. Full Planet, Empty Plates: the New Geopolitics of Food Scarcity. New York :

W. W. Norton , 2012. (Book)

Rice, Ketra Lachell. “Measuring the Likelihood of Food Insecurity and Adult Consumption of

Fruits and Vegetables in Ohio's 'Food Deserts' / by Ketra Lachell Rice.” Ohio State University ,

Columbus, Ohio State University , 2007, pp. 1–140. (Scholarly Article)

Shaw, Hillary J. The Consuming Geographies of Food: Diet, Food Deserts and Obesity.

Routledge, 2017 (Scholarly Article)

Menker, Sara, director. A Global Food Crisis May Be Less Than A Decade Away. Ted, Ted,

2017,

www.ted.com/talks/sara_menker_a_global_food_crisis_may_be_only_a_decade_away?language

=en. (Someone I could interview)

Jacobson, Kristi and Lori Silverbush, directors. A Place at the Table. Jiro Dreams of Sushi

(Official Movie Site) - Directed by David Gelb - Available on DVD and Blu-Ray™ - Trailer,

Pictures & More, 2013, www.magpictures.com/aplaceatthetable/. (Documentary)

United, Nations. “Sustainable Development Goals.” United Nations Foundation, 2019,

unfoundation.org/what-we-do/issues/sustainable-development-goals/. (Website #2)

“The World Food Crisis.” New York Times , 2008. (Newspaper)