Food Security
What is Food Security?
Simple Definition - The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food
Food security can be explained in three categories:
1. Food Access
This is determined among consumers by the accessibility and affordability of food retailers. Factors which affect food access:
This is determined among consumers by the accessibility and affordability of food retailers. Factors which affect food access:
- Travel time to shopping
- Poverty
- Social and geographic isolation
- Food prices
- High cost of fuel
Some people and places, especially those with low-income, may face greater barriers in accessing healthy and affordable food retailers, which may negatively affect diet and food security. Source: http://tbfoodstrategy.com/pillars/food-access/
2. Food Availability
Food Availability is when all people have sufficient quantities of food available on a constant basis. Food availability is determined by food production and food trade. Scarcity occurs because there are limited resources but unlimited wants.
Scarcity poses three basic economic questions: What will be produced? ; How production will occur? ; and Who will use these goods? Scarcity of food in certain communities affect food availability. Most researches agree that there is enough food for everyone around the world. The main problem is the distribution of food. Governments do not distribute the necessary food needed in poorer, less advanced communities that struggle to acquire the necessary nutrients needed.
Source : https://sites.google.com/a/asu.edu/sindydelatorrepacheco/home/food-availability
Scarcity poses three basic economic questions: What will be produced? ; How production will occur? ; and Who will use these goods? Scarcity of food in certain communities affect food availability. Most researches agree that there is enough food for everyone around the world. The main problem is the distribution of food. Governments do not distribute the necessary food needed in poorer, less advanced communities that struggle to acquire the necessary nutrients needed.
Source : https://sites.google.com/a/asu.edu/sindydelatorrepacheco/home/food-availability
3. Food Utilization
Assuming that nutritious food is available and accessible, the household has to decide what food to purchase and how to prepare prepare it as well as how to consume and allocate it within the household. Biological utilization is another aspect. This relates to the human bodies ability to take in food and convert it into useful energy. This energy is then used during other daily physical activities which might include agriculture.
Utilization requires a healthy physical environment and awareness of proper health care, food preparation and storage processes.
Source: https://wocatpedia.net/wiki/Definition_and_Dimensions_of_Food_Security
How do Window Farms increase food security?
A simple Window garden/farm system is a column of upside down water bottles with plants growing out of holes in the bottles. Window farming is an easy, cheap way to acquire healthy food. The rich or poor can implement this method of self farming. Fresh vegetables can be produced all year round and reduces the problem of lack of transport and food availability among households.
Food production occurs according to the farmer. Poor communities can decide what food they want and when they want it. Window farms also take up very little space which means they can be started anywhere.
Food production occurs according to the farmer. Poor communities can decide what food they want and when they want it. Window farms also take up very little space which means they can be started anywhere.
- This photo is a perfect example of how much food can be produced in such a small area.
- Diagram of advanced window farm hydroponics system
Source: https://www.npr.org/2010/04/03/125504307/window-farming-a-do-it-yourself-veggie-venture
By: Malick Majiet