Right to Food

Hello Everyone

Happy New Year!

I came across the concept of Right to Food recently, also known as Right to Freedom from Hunger. It is a human right like Right to Life, Right to Education etc. Over 60 countries have it as a Constitutional right, and 160 countries have committed to this right by ratifying  the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

The Right to Food is not about government providing free food. Rather, it is about food availability, accessibility and adequacy. Also, in times of war or other crisis, when food is not available, the right requires the government to provide food directly. 

It is heartening to know that there is an international movement around this because hunger does not discriminate. The United States is one of the countries with no known right to food.

That does not mean that we don't have government help available. There are several public programs. For example, at our local Newark Library (37055 Newark Blvd., Newark, CA 94560), there is Free food for kids ages 1-18 at 3:30 PM Monday to Thursday. I was delighted to learn about this program because in case of adversity (homelessness, job loss, refugee etc), kids suffer the most. This program provides a safe place to receive a meal with dignity.


Also, if the food banks were closed for holidays, they would have opened by now. Here is the link to a collection of banks in the local area (Fremont, Union City, Newark).

Please comment below for any suggestions you may have.

 

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