Food is essential for many reasons. Food is sustenance. Food is comfort. Food is community. However, according to World Food Program USA, 1 in 10 people around the world go to bed hungry. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 23.5 million people in the U.S. are living in food deserts, meaning that they have to travel at least 1 mile to go to their nearest supermarket or grocery store. And, according to the Food Research and Action Center, 1 in 8 households don't have access to fresh, affordable produce and other healthy food items. This section's purpose is to educate you about the complexities of food justice so that you too can raise awareness about this issue and help make changes to create a world where everyone has access to the nutritious food they need.

Food impacts everything from your brain to body function. There are many reasons why someone might be food insecure, but one major reason is socioeconomic status. One's income level can impact what types of foods they are able to afford, where they live, and where they can access their food items. If one does not have access to the fresh food needed to focus and succeed in education and work, it's more difficult for them to improve their economic situation and leave the generational cycle of food insecurity. Not having enough nutrients can also lead to poor mental and emotional health and may contribute to mood swings and depression. According to the New York Times, your gut sends neurotransmitters to your brain that control your emotions; if you eat healthy foods, your gut and brain will be healthier.  Some people can also experience anxiety from not knowing when their next meal will be. For physical health, not having enough nutrients may stunt growth, lead to heart diseases and cancers, and can cause weight loss in some cases and obesity in others. Access to healthy, nutritious food should be a fundamental human right. It should not be a battle to receive the proper nutrition you need to feel good on the inside and outside. 

Food justice is looking to change every aspect of the food system for the better. Food inequity is caused by various societal factors including poverty, discrimination, and monoculture. The phrase food justice refers to so much more than just providing food for those who are hungry. The movement is about changing other conditions embedded in our society like ending food apartheids, stopping food waste, growing fruits and vegetables sustainably, helping food workers, and making nutrient-rich, usually expensive foods available to everyone.  Awareness of this mission can lead to grassroots movements, create new legislation, and bring communities together to help each other. People can support local farmers, create community gardens, and volunteer with a variety of organizations. Together we can transform our world to be a place where accessible, healthy food is the standard.