tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858678992128274009.post2657474386197501506..comments2011-06-16T18:59:23.800-04:00Comments on City Slick Farmer Chick: GleaningFarmer Pinkyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12234691659472326986noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858678992128274009.post-19687547230020136732011-04-06T08:52:03.331-04:002011-04-06T08:52:03.331-04:00Button, I have never heard of food stamps covering...Button, I have never heard of food stamps covering seeds, etc. Is that something local where you are or is it national. If that applies in my area, I know of a fair few women that would be helped by this. <br /><br />Also, as to grocery shopping with children... <br /><br />The community I am with now has the lowest incidence of vehicle ownership in Lexington. They are smack dab in a food desert and it is HARD for some to make a real grocery trip happen. One dear friend has three children under four. The closest bus stop is nearly a mile away. By the time the bus reaches the store her kids are tired and so is she. Already the likelihood of success at the grocery is slim. Whatever she gets while there she has to pack back to her home while wrangling three little ones. As long as there are food deserts there will be problems with food access even with government programs.<br /><br />I'm sure they're out there, but I have never seen a mother of a hungry family too proud to accept help. I have known women willing to put themselves in danger to ensure their children eat. Not all of them possess the education to know what and how their children should be eating. They just want to quiet the rumblings in their children's bellies. <br /><br />Again, that is just my perspective based on my community.Farmer Pinkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12234691659472326986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858678992128274009.post-24464238418343462842011-04-06T08:19:41.826-04:002011-04-06T08:19:41.826-04:00I am loving this post. Here is something I do need...I am loving this post. Here is something I do need to say. I am tired of women whining about taking kids grocery shopping. I have five kids and take them so they can see how to shop. Also, WIC now gives families vouchers for fresh fruit and vegetables. Also, Food Stamps cover seeds, plants and trees for edibles. However, there are those who fall through the cracks, the "cash poor". Those who make too much for many of these programs, they need to learn about gleaning. We are a family of seven getting out of medical debt. I posted on the local Freecycle group to glean trees and got a tremendous response. There is so much fruit that falls to the ground that just goes to waste. Another issue is pride. Some people with hungry kids think they are above this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858678992128274009.post-6073854460825351652011-02-24T12:50:53.819-05:002011-02-24T12:50:53.819-05:00There are some government programs. I will post so...There are some government programs. I will post some links later if I get some time.<br /><br />However<br /><br />I'm a bit of a cynic. I don't think policy will save us. I believe there are people in government who want to work towards the positive change, but the momentum is pushing the other direction. <br /><br />The local government in my city is allowing people use of public lands for gardening projections. They even have some grants avalable. However, the work towards actually alleviating poverty must be done by the community. We have to be the boots on the ground.<br /><br />Community building is so much a part of this because when we isolate ourselves, either by family, race or economic status, the "othering" that happens dehumanizes people of a different group and they become a problem. Our neighbors have problems with hunger so we have a hunger problem. We must work in common with our neighbors on this problem.Farmer Pinkyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12234691659472326986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4858678992128274009.post-45093720131387644842011-02-24T11:57:18.982-05:002011-02-24T11:57:18.982-05:00I couldn't have said it any better. You are r...I couldn't have said it any better. You are right on! Even though educating the public is important, food insecurities exist everywhere. Not only is it a financial and geographic problem, as much as it is a western problem. How can we alleviate this through policy? It is definitely great to do what you can as a community member, but do you know of any policies currently that are intended to alleviate food insecurities? :) Thanks chick!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01480598119020785152noreply@blogger.com