Join us in ending poverty through healthy food access.
Food insecurity and poverty are linked in a vicious cycle. Poverty and unemployment increase the likelihood of food insecurity. Food insecurity, in turn, worsens mental and physical health, which reduces a person's ability to work, perpetuating the cycle of poverty. Malnutrition can adversely affect the physiological and mental capacity of individuals, leading to lower productivity and making them more susceptible to poverty.
Healthy food access can help break generational cycles of poverty by supporting our physical and mental well-being, which boosts productivity and creates a positive feedback loop. Good nutrition directly impacts and supports our mental health by regulating our mood and cognition, while food insecurity worsens anxiety and depression and can hinder school and work performance, creating a cycle that can be broken through better food access and availability.
Breaking the cycle
- Improving mental health: Adequate nutrition is critical for positive mental health, and diets rich in fruits and vegetables can increase happiness (yes, really!), while a lack of nutrition can worsen depression and anxiety.
- Enhances our physical health: Healthy food consumption supports our gut-brain connection, reducing our risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease, and strengthening our immune system, leading to fewer sick days.
- Boosts productivity: Better physical and mental health means individuals can better concentrate at school and work, we have more energy, and are less likely to miss work or school due to illness, according to Feeding America.
- Interrupts the poverty cycle: Since poverty and poor health are often intertwined, improving nutrition can lead to better health outcomes and increased productivity, which can improve earning potential and create opportunities for economic stability.