Securing Food Supplies During The Global Pandemic

July 28, 2020,

Three times a day is when most of us participate in a ritual as old as man and as important today as it was thousands of years ago.

Eating our daily meals.

Some feel it is a necessity. Given the amount of hunger in third world countries, it could be argued it is a luxury but it’s also something in Western Societies that we have become accustomed to.

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, will that change? Will our food supplies be greatly disrupted?

It is an important question that should be analyzed.

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports, “There are no nationwide shortages of food, although in some cases the inventory of certain foods at your grocery store might be temporarily low before stores can restock. Food production and manufacturing are widely dispersed throughout the U.S. and there are currently no wide-spread disruptions reported in the supply chain.

USDA and the Food and Drug Administration are closely monitoring the food supply chain for any shortages in collaboration with industry and our federal and state partners. We are in regular contact with food manufacturers and grocery stores.”

That is good to know because clearly certain pandemic related items can be in short supply but our food supply does not appear to be disrupted.

They are affected though. How so?

Grocers and supermarkets are having trouble staying stocked with goods from flour to soups as soaring coronavirus case numbers and continued lock downs pressure production and increase customer demand.

That demand primarily comes from consumers with an ample budget to spend. What is happening to those who are food insecure?

The team at webmd.com adds, “Food insecurity poses a growing threat, especially with the exploding numbers of people who have lost jobs in the wake of shutdowns. Many have lined up for miles in their cars and waited for hours for food giveaways.”

Food is available. For some it is just hard to get to.

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The USDA is aware of this and reassures, “USDA is monitoring the situation closely in collaboration with our federal and state partners. FNS is ready to assist in the government-wide effort to ensure all Americans have access to food in times of need. In the event of an emergency or disaster situation, Food and Nutrition Service programs are just one part of a much larger government-wide coordinated response. All of our programs, including SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, have flexibilities and contingencies built-in to allow us to respond to on-the-ground realities and take action as directed by Congress.”

It is good to know there is a solid plan in place.

Agriculture is vital to America and will play a vital role during the COVID-19 response.

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In fact, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency lists Food and Agricultural Workers as being among the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers for the COVID-19 response. It also lists the agricultural sector among 16 critical infrastructure sectors. In addition to providing safe and nutritious food for American families, the agricultural sector also accounts for roughly one-fifth of our nation’s economy.

Community involvement is also extremely helpful in addressing local food needs and potential shortages.

We can look to one particular group in the state of Washington that recognize this and are involved in helping to meet the food needs of their local community and be kind to the environment as well.

You should check out their fascinating story.

21 Acres: Farmers Solve Climate Change and Feed Community Amid Pandemic

WOODINVILLE, Wash., July 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As food supply chains break down and we face a global hunger crisis exacerbated by the coronavirus, Washington state farmers, policymakers, and consumers are making changes that help feed the community and solve climate change at the same time.

In the midst of the pandemic, Washington State has recognized the value of supporting farmers who could be the key to both short-term food security and long-term climate solutions. The "Sustainable Farms and Fields" bill, which creates grant funding for farms switching to sustainable practices, was championed by Carbon Washington and signed into law in April 2020.

Despite the pandemic highlighting processing bottlenecks for essentials like meat and dairy, local trends show that people are increasingly valuing a shorter supply chain between food and table. At the 21 Acres Center for Local Food Farm Market—a Woodinville hub connecting local, sustainably produced food from farmers to customers—total sales on average have doubled over last year.

Local farms are filling that need for fresh food. Justice-focused organizations such as the Black Farmers Collective's Yes Farm in Seattle are striving to eliminate food scarcity and envision an equitable future. Local farmers are getting creative; Songbird Haven farm in Woodinville (whose owners Noa Kay and Mark Albonizio are climate advocates) have nimbly shifted to address hunger. Some farmers markets throughout the Puget Sound region have re-opened amid myriad regulatory challenges and customers are responding in droves.

These and many more small-scale farms and local food organizations are poised to feed the community during food shortages that derive from failings of big agriculture and a consolidated and commodified food chain. In the Sammamish and Snohomish Valleys, small farms have been producing food for years on the principles of carbon sequestration and healthy soil management for long-term agricultural viability.

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"To save food sources and the climate at the same time, a long-term and widespread shift away from conventional practices and toward regenerative farming will necessitate a combination of consumer buying priorities, robust education, ongoing adoption of legislation, and government buy-in," says Rebecca Jordan, Operations Lead at 21 Acres.

People, practices, and policy are pivoting during this critical juncture to transform the way we farm, eat, and solve climate change. This growing body of new customers who have been driven to local food by the coronavirus are ultimately contributing to systemic climate initiatives that will keep Washington State fed far into the future.

About 21 Acres:

21 Acres Center for Local Food & Sustainable Living is a nonprofit center for agro ecological education whose purpose is to promote the benefits of local food systems within the context of climate challenges. We explore the relationship between our natural and built environments through food and farm-based educational programs, workshops, and tours in the farm, market, and LEED Platinum certified building.

SOURCE 21 Acres Center for Local Food