Food Assistance Programs
With the increasing cost of food, more and more people are having trouble finding their next meal. Because the economy is structured in a way where food is only accessible through money, many people are left without access to food. There are several food assistance programs in place across the country that are trying to help those who find themselves food insecure.
First, there are federal programs in the United States that attempt to help low-income people.
SNAP - the supplemental nutrition assistance program, offers help to low-income people
WIC - women, infants, and children, is aimed at helping women, infants, and children
TEFAP - the emergency food assistance program, provides assistance during an emergency
CSFP - the commodity supplemental food program, provides assistance to low-income seniors
SFMNP - senior farmer’s market nutrition program, provides coupons for fresh foods at farmer’s markets
Feeding America - a nonprofit organization working with food banks, food pantries, and local food programs
After the federal level, there are also state and local food assistance programs that people can turn to.
Food banks - there are many food banks across the country where food is stored safely and then distributed to food programs such as distributions or food pantries
Food pantry - here people and families can receive food donated from a food bank or individuals
Mobile food pantry- these serve communities with extra barriers to getting to food or meal distributions
Community fridges - these fridges have cold foods that can be picked up during operating hours
In Houston, there are several food pantries and community fridges one could go to. Here are a few below. For a full list go to here.
Third Ward Community Fridge at Exchange to Change - 3801 N MacGregor Way Houston, Texas 77004
Bellaire Community Fridge - 6601 S Braeswood Blvd. Houston, Texas 77096
Target Hunger - 1260 Shotwell St. Houston, Texas 77020
East Spring Branch Food Pantry - 7901 Westview Drive Houston, Texas 77055
Houston Humane Society Pet Pantry - 14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, Texas 77053
Food insecurity continues to be a problem and it is not due to the fact that there is not enough food to go around because there is actually much more than enough food produced on earth. It is a problem because ensuring that everyone is fed is not a priority for capitalist governments across the world. With an economy structured around capitalism, food will only be accessible to those who can afford it, causing millions to go hungry. While it is important that these food assistance programs are in place, it is also important to not lose sight of the root cause of food insecurity, racial capitalism.
