With all the awareness building with Hunger Action Week, how do you think we should approach the food insecurity issues in GR?

I am a huge advocate of the gardening programs, education programs to teach nutrition in the grocery stores, as well as the double up food bucks program to offer assistance to individuals and families on a limited income to have access to local, organic produce. (I am very critical of the fact that the Bridge Card will not help purchase toiletries, but will allow you to buy a month's worth of soda and salty snacks if you so choose.)  I also have an increasing appreciation for the multifaceted work of food pantries and soup kitchens: there are many who are incorporating nutrition and education into this incredibly depended upon service.

The Food and Nutrition Coalition, a subcomittee of the Essential Needs Task Force, is currently mapping food deserts in Grand Rapids in addition to other work that moves our community forward in a sustainable way - they deserve a lot of credit for the thoughtful work that they are doing.

I think that one of the biggest things that our country needs is a greater appreciation for the real cost of food production, and the real toll of corn subsidies and putting junk in food. I recently learned that the United States spends less money per capita on food than any other country in the world.

I think that one of the biggest gains our state can make would be to have more small organic farms working together to provide more produce to hospitals, schools, hotels, et c. (It could also provide a great work for refugees in our community with an agricultural background.)