By: Richard L. Smith
A recent virtual Teen Hunger Summit offered a sobering look into the challenges of food insecurity and food waste in the United States.
Presenters, including representatives from prominent organizations like the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Table to Table, and the Franklin Food Bank, emphasized that food insecurity knows no boundaries and can affect anyone.
The summit featured passionate participants from the Academy of the Holy Angels (AHA) in Bergen County, including students Lydia Baracskai of Hoboken, Kara DePasquale of Oradell, Alexandra and Gabrielle Fontana of Nanuet, New York, Mary Gassib of Franklin Lakes, Amaris Hiatt of River Vale, and Chanel Hwang of Old Tappan.
These young individuals showcased their commitment to combating food insecurity and food waste.
Chanel Hwang, who leads the AHA-based club Secureats, shared her mission to provide underprivileged women in New Jersey with fresh produce and more.
She attended the summit to expand her knowledge and glean insights from experts in the field. Chanel was struck by the tremendous efforts of food pantries and banks in fulfilling their clients' needs.
Alexandra and Gabrielle Fontana, active members of the CFBNJ's Teen Leadership Council, viewed the summit as an opportunity to deepen their understanding of food insecurity and encourage community involvement. Alexandra is committed to reducing food waste and raising awareness of food insecurity.
Gabrielle emphasized that anyone could be food insecure and pledged to support organizations addressing this critical issue.
Mary Gassib was shocked to learn that over 800,000 families suffer from food insecurity in New Jersey alone. She aims to raise awareness about this issue and continue her educational journey.
Amaris Hiatt, inspired by a previous experience at the Community Foodbank of New Jersey, plans to contribute to food drives, make donations, and volunteer at local food banks. She was touched by how food banks create welcoming environments for diverse communities through music and engagement.
Derek Smith, Director of the Franklin Food Bank, highlighted the importance of fostering a joyous atmosphere in food banks and providing services like health screenings, financial literacy classes, and nutrition courses.
He emphasized the value of offering culturally relevant foods and instructions in various languages.
Jessica Elicin, Director of CFBNJ's health and wellness programs, stressed the importance of healthy food options and nutritional education. She encouraged individuals to get involved by organizing fresh food drives, donating to food banks, or starting initiatives like the I-Rescue Lunch Club.
Julie Kinner from Table to Table shed light on food rescue efforts, revealing that over 312 million pounds of food go to waste in the United States every Thanksgiving.
She inspired students to take action by holding fresh food drives, donating money, or starting clubs to rescue unopened cafeteria food.
The summit emphasized that access to food is a fundamental human right, and participants expressed their commitment to making a positive impact and combating food insecurity in their communities.