In The News – Food Insecurity Hits Closer Than You Might Think
September 26, 2024 | Member Submitted
Originally published in Moonshine Ink, 09/12/2024, Written by Patrick Kratzer
September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in America. As Sierra Community House’s director of hunger relief operations, I often receive surprised reactions when talking about my work to people from outside of our area, like, “I never would think there is food insecurity in a place as nice as Lake Tahoe.” If you think of Tahoe as lakefront tech CEO mansions, private jet access, and recreation heaven, I can totally understand that thinking. But if you consider the housing crisis, the soaring cost of living, and the unpredictable nature of seasonal work, it becomes clear that food insecurity is much closer to our community than the glossy images of ski resorts and real estate ads might suggest. The truth is that our team feeds more than 290,000 meals to North Tahoe and Truckee residents every year, and a large percentage of those households include children under 18.
A traditional definition of food insecurity is: “The limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways which prevents individuals and families from living their healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible.”