Cohesive Action to Address Food Insecurity in the Chicagoland Area

Post covid pandemic, Chicago has witnessed an increase in food insecurity. Food insecurity disproportionately affects households of color with income below the poverty line. This study uncovers major factors contributing to food insecurity in Chicago and suggests culturally appropriate interventions to address food insecurity. This paper aims to identify the major causes of food insecurity and develop strategies, plans, programs, and resources to help alleviate food insecurity in the Chicagoland area. This qualitative study collected primary data from Nutritionists, Dieticians, food pantry managers, and community members within the Chicagoland area via in-person and virtual interviews. Further secondary data were collected for statistical analysis from the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Chicago Atlas, CDPH, CDC, USDA, US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and Google Scholar. It is essential to develop cohesive action strategies to address food insecurity because of food-related illnesses such as malnutrition, diabetes, and obesity. These food-related illnesses serve as the bases of several chronic diseases, affecting the quality of life and reducing life expectancy. The diversity in Chicago’s population requires a culturally appropriate intervention. Several food programs in Chicago are losing funding, and the city is cutting down on food stamp benefits. The inflation rate in food prices is a major contributing factor. The city needs to increase the limit on link cards for food stamps, provide more job opportunities, and increase the average earning to qualify for food stamps. Food pantries need to offer a delivery option for people with disabilities and a variety of cultural food options for the immigrant population in Chicago. Cooking classes, budgeting classes, and nutrition classes will work to address food insecurity in Chicago. These classes teach people of all socioeconomic backgrounds how to have more control over their food throughout its life cycle, giving them the tools to enhance their health and appreciate the value of food as medicine, which is the path to better health results