SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Utah’s Food Justice Coalition has urged state policymakers to address hunger as a broader community issue and treat access to nutritious food as essential infrastructure.
The Salt Lake City-based organization says charitable efforts remain vital, but long-term solutions must address the underlying factors that contribute to hunger, including housing costs, wages, transportation and healthcare access.
Utah Food Bank teams up with international food distribution organization to fight food insecurity
“Food banks, volunteers and donors are meeting urgent needs every day,” said founder and CEO of Food Justice Coalition, Jeanette Padilla Vega. “But hunger is also shaped by housing costs, wages, transportation, health and the way our food system is built. We cannot expect charitable giving alone to solve a problem produced across so many systems,” she added.
How many Utahns struggle with food insecurity?
According to the Food Justice Coalition, nearly 600,000 Utahns are experiencing food insecurity, with the Utah Food Bank reporting that about 100,000 more people are struggling to access enough food than a year ago.
Leaders with the organization say food access involves more than simply having groceries available. Many Utahns face barriers such as limited transportation, lack of cooking facilities or other challenges that make preparing meals difficult…