By Celia BANSAH
I have always wondered why with all the technological innovations in the world today, there are still instances of food insecurity and hungry people. I am writing this paper to offer suggestions for helping both rich and poor countries experiencing food insecurity to achieve food security.
I will use Ghana and the United States of America as my primary examples because both of my parents were born and raised in Ghana, but currently live in the United States of America where I also live and pursuing my high school education.
Food insecurity affects many countries daily, and although this issue might not impact everyone directly, millions suffer from it. But what exactly is food insecurity? It is a lack of access to sufficient or adequate-quality food to meet basic needs.
Conversely, food security is when people have access to enough nutritious and affordable food. In essence, while some people have plenty of food, others have little to none. The point to note is that food security boils down to the availability of financial resources to buy enough nutritious food.
When I was around six, my father showed me a video depicting many children living in an orphanage in Ghana. The video showed them bathing in the same tub, sleeping in cramped spaces, and not receiving nutritious meals. This video deeply moved me and made me cry, as I could not understand why innocent children were living under such conditions. I even suggested that we should send them money.
I believe every child deserves a healthy and comfortable lifestyle. Around the same time, I also saw news reports about the difficult living conditions of children in other developing countries. This further fueled my desire to make a difference. I believe that children everywhere should not go hungry and should be able to play, just as I did. Food is a basic human right, and no one deserves to go hungry.
The most surprising thing was also when I read about news stories and saw video coverage for food insecure Americans in many cities. The worrisome issue for me is that the American Declaration of Independence tells us about equality and the rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Adequate food is essential for health and survival, and without it, lives are endangered, leading to chronic diseases and possibly death. Significantly, we all know that food, shelter, and clothing are basic human needs. This demonstrates that every person has rights that should not be denied them. Yet, many families live in improper conditions, which should not be the case. As a 14-year-old who grew up in a middle-class household, I have never faced issues obtaining nutritious food and have even occasionally enjoyed fast food.
Many Americans share this experience and can go weeks or months without worrying about their next meal. However, children all over the world do experience instances of food insecurity, and I believe no one, especially a child, deserves to go hungry.
\Addressing food insecurity from a global perspective is challenging, and various factors, such as economic disruptions, can jeopardize agricultural systems. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted global food supply chains due to shutdowns in major industrial cities. It is heartbreaking to think of food insecurity in the world, especially the impact of lack of nutritious food for children. To address this, we must act quickly.
Solutions to food insecurity
Shipping excess food: Many countries have surplus food that could be sent to those in need. Transportation methods like boats and planes can be used, and advancements in cold chain technology, such as refrigerated containers and trucks, can help maintain food quality during transit. However, there are risks, such as uncertainties in distribution and infrastructure challenges in developing countries. Nonetheless, shipping excess food could save resources, provide meals to hungry populations, and improve global nutrition.
Trading with other countries: Trading has been a common practice throughout history. Food-insecure countries could trade with resource-rich countries for necessary goods. For example, countries with cocoa farms could trade cocoa for food and other resources. China, known for exporting electronics and textiles, could be a trading partner for such countries.
Donations from wealthy individuals: Members of the upper class, such as billionaires in different countries, like Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg in the USA, have significant financial resources. They can support organizations addressing food insecurity, such as the World Food Program and USAID. Donations from those in the upper class, as well as from middle-class individuals, can help these organizations collect, preserve, and distribute excess food.
Ways to reduce food waste
In households
Meal planning helps reduce waste by purchasing only the needed amount of food. Stocking up on non-perishable items and properly setting refrigerator temperatures can extend food shelf life.
In restaurants
Restaurants often waste food due to unfinished meals, order errors, and end-of-day disposals. Preserving and redistributing leftover food, when safe, can help reduce waste. Kenya’s success in exporting fresh flowers demonstrates that similar methods could be applied to prepared food.
Retailers, processors, and manufacturers
Retailers can improve food management and stock handling. Processors and manufacturers can implement technical solutions to reduce waste, such as better product design and packaging.
If no action is taken, food insecurity will continue to worsen. Billions of people experience food insecurity daily, and this issue will persist if we do not act. Although there is food insecurity in America, it’s something that can be handled first while formulating ways to assist other countries.
Food is a fundamental human right, and no one, especially innocent children, deserves to starve. As we just celebrated the annual Thanksgiving celebration in America, including turkey dinner, I hope this paper inspires change and encourages others to contribute to solving the problem of food insecurity and hunger in America and the rest of the world, especially for the sake of the children.
The author is a student of Pitt Early College High School, Winterville, North Carolina – USA
