Food Insecurity in Atlanta
Food Insecurity in Atlanta
Food insecurity is increasing since the start of pandemic in 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. Climate change therefore increases the risk of food deserts. The price of food has skyrocketed due to food shortages and labor shortages. Food deserts are areas where it is difficult to find and purchase fresh and affordable fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods, particularly prevalent in low-income communities.
Georgia has one of the highest densities of food deserts in the nation. According to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, 1.2 million Georgians are facing hunger, including more than 377,000 children.
A lot of my patients live in food deserts that are located south part of metro area in Atlanta. Most dialysis centers are in urban areas next to a fried chicken restaurant. My job as a Renal Dietitian is to educate Kidney patients on a Renal Diet. Most of the Renal-friendly foods are not accessible for my patients at their local grocery or corner stores.
Although climate change is inevitable, as a dietitian a focus should be on increasing access to more healthy and nutritious grocery stores and restaurants in these food deserts in Georgia. It should be mandated that grocery stores should be held to standard of provide fresh and quality produce and meat like other grocery stores in affluent areas.
Nutrition education should start early as preschool with the creation healthy gardens. The basics of nutrition should be part of the curriculum in low-income areas. A mobile food truck that provides renal friendly meals outside dialysis centers would be ideal for renal patients.