Our food policy needs to stop imposing a one-size-fits-all eating culture on everyone You are receiving this email as one of Alexandra’s most engaged followers. If you no longer wish to receive emails or updates, please click the “unsubscribe” link below. Hi John, When I first started studying public health, I didn’t know there were kids in America who didn’t know what an apple looks like. It was a blind spot—I simply didn’t know the full scope of what a food desert means to people who live in one. America’s food policy still has that blind spot. I saw this while getting my masters in public health; I saw this working as a public health researcher; and I still see this now. American food policies reflect a bias in which foods should be supported as nutritious and healthful—from USDA-recommended food choices to which foods are eligible for SNAP benefits. not a great start for inclusivity I don’t know why we think America is such a great role model on how to make smart food choices . . . . That’s demeaning for the millions of people here who come from anywhere other than a whitewashed version of post-war America. And it has serious consequences—especially when put in the context of food insecurity. Grocery prices continue to soar; millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table here. Our American-biased food policy says: We’ll consider giving you assistance, but only if you eat exactly what we believe you should be eating. Like housing, food is a human right. But food is also an essential part of culture. We cannot keep imposing historic biases on food culture against anyone who needs help without erasing the many cultures and the many communities that are just as American as any others. When someone of any cultural background suffers from food insecurity, we need to meet them where they are. We need to recognize that diet, cooking knowledge, and food preferences are culturally-based, and culturally competent produce should be readily available and affordable. A one-size-fits-all approach to ANY policy is a public health no-no. Our policies around food and food deserts have some catching up to do. I’m working to make our food policies reflect current realities, not outdated fantasies. I hope you’ll join me. Alexandra Hunt Donate Now FOLLOW ALEXANDRA ON Paid for by Friends of Alexandra Hunt CONTRIBUTE Alexandra M. Hunt | P.O. Box 5615, Philadelphia, PA 19129 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!