Food poverty and insecurity : international food inequalities

This volume is concerned with food poverty and action on food (in)security. The context is a global one; as the developed world faces a problem with overconsumption and chronic diseases, the developing world is addressing the double burden of hunger and over consumption. Even in the developed world, nation states are facing the rise of modern malnutrition which is over consumption, but also the re-emergence of hunger as there are growing levels of poverty and inequality due to the financial crises. Food insecurity is in many people’s minds associated with hunger, and while this is true the modern food system has introduced new complexities to food insecurity with the growth of micro-nutrient inequalities. Hunger and obesity are not being faced by two different groups but often the same group or cohort. These are features of modern malnutrition that are often not recognized. A critical examination of food poverty and food security is undertaken, with a view to clarifying taken-for-granted assumptions in present discourses. The book addresses food charity and the rise of solutions such as foodbanks as appropriate social responses. The final chapters explore the solutions from real life situations. The concluding chapter from the editors draws together the issues and locates solutions within a food policy framework of the total food system. The various definitions of food insecurity will are examined. Hunger and its modern manifestations (hunger and obesity) is another focus, with particular explorations of developed and developing countries experiences. Some of the chapters cover how food poverty/insecurity is being addressed and provide examples of work in progress. Preface 7 Contents 8 1 Food Poverty and Insecurity: The Poor in a World of Global Austerity 10 Introduction 10 Creating Pressure Points and Even Greater Inequalities 11 Food Protest and the Underlying Moral Economy 11 Globalization, Food and Health in the New World Order 14 References 16 2 Food Security Global Overview 19 Introduction 19 The Status of Global Food Security 21 Conclusion 24 References 25 3 Food Issues Facing New and Emerging Economies of Southeast Asia 27 Introducing Southeast Asia 27 Identifying Food Problems Across SE Asia 28 Tracing Regional Approaches for Food Insecurity Alleviation 30 Exploring National Strategies to Improve Food Security 31 Describing Specific-Food or -Nutrient Interventions and Strategies for Improving Food Security 32 School Meal Programs 32 Breastfeeding 33 Micronutrient Fortification 33 Supplementation and Diversification 34 Conclusions 35 References 35 4 The Paradox of Undernutrition and Obesity in South Africa: A Contextual Overview of Food Quality, Access and Availability in the New Democracy 39 South Africa's Historical, Socio-economic and Political Context 39 The State of Malnutrition in South Africa---Prevalence and Trends 40 Undernutrition 40 Overnutrition and Associated NCDs 41 Determinants of Over- and Under- nutrition in South Africa 42 Individual-Level Characteristics, Food Consumption Behaviour and Obesity 43 Socio-economic Status, Food Consumption Behaviour and Obesity 43 The Food Environment, Food Consumption Behaviour and Obesity 44 Culture, Belief Systems, Food Consumption Behaviour and Obesity 44 Interventions to Address Under- and Over-Nutrition in South Africa 46 Conclusions: Reflection and Recommendation 46 References 48 5 The Right to Food in India---Entitlements as Government Responsibility to Entitlements as Government Obligation 50 Introduction 50 The Right to Food in India---`Top-Down' and `Bottom-Up' 51 The National Food Security Bill 55 Conclusions: What Are the Implications of the Right to Food? 58 References 59 6 Food Insecurity and Health Disparities: Experiences from New York City 61 Introduction 61 Food Choice and Health: Cultural Acceptability Within Food Security 62 A Short History of Food Entitlement Programs in the US 63 Modern Malnutrition in New York City 65 Responses to Hunger and Health Inequities 66 Institutional Food Standards and Workers 66 Carrots and Sticks in the Consumer Food Environment 67 Targeted Food Retail Interventions: The Community Food Environment 68 Conclusions: How Can Responses to Food Security in NYC Evolve to More Effectively Reduce Health Inequities? 69 References 70 7 Creating New Links Between Agriculture and Food Aid: New Perspectives from France 72 Food Aid and Agricultural Policy in Europe and France 72 Embedding in the European Productivist Agricultural Model 72 Emergence of Initiatives in France Proposing an Alternative Relationship Between Agriculture and Food Aid 74 Two Cases Promoting Alternative Relationship Between Food Aid and Agriculture in France 76 Conclusion 79 References 81 8 Food Banks: Big Society or Shunting Yards? Successful Failures 83 Introduction 83 Food Banks as Highly Visible Successful Failures 84 The Evidence for Successful Failure Food Banks---Successful Failures?/Shunting Yards 86 Discussion 88 References 90 9 The Rise of Food Inequality in Australia 93 Introduction to Australia, the Lucky Country 93 Hidden Food Inequality 93 The Current Situation in Australia 95 Income Inequality 95 Geographical Inequality (The Tyranny of Distance) 99 Health Inequality 100 What Are the Challenges for Food Inequality in Developed Countries Like Australia? 100 Conclusion: Issues to Consider 103 10 Work in Progress: Addressing Food Insecurity in Brazil 108 Introduction 108 Evidence of Reduction in Food Poverty and Insecurity 109 Policies, Programs, and Governance 110 New and Continuing Challenges 113 Conclusion 116 References 117 11 Food Austerity; Concluding Thoughts and Reflections 119 References 125 Index 127 While There Is Not One Global Definition Of The Term 'food Poverty,' The Evidence From The Chapters In This Book Suggest Food Poverty Can Be Seen From Three Perspectives: 1) The Causes And Constraints Facing Both Individuals, Households, Communities And Policy Makers, 2) Constrained Choices Or The 'lived Experience' And 3) The Health Impacts Or Outcomes. As A Working Definition Of Food Poverty, This Approach Suggests That Where Constraints Are Such That It Is Not Possible For Individuals Or Households To Consume A Nutritionally Adequate Diet, They Could Be Considered To Be In Food Poverty. The Modern Food System Has Introduced New Complexities To Food Insecurity With The Growth Of Micro-nutrient Inequalities. As A Result Of Growing Levels Of Poverty And Inequality, Hunger And Obesity Are Not Being Faced By Two Different Groups, But Often By The Same Group. While The Developed World Faces A Problem With Overconsumption And Chronic Diseases, The Developing World Is Addressing The Double Burden Of Hunger And Over-consumption. Even In The Developed World, Nation States Are Facing The Rise Of Modern Malnutrition, Which Includes Both Over-consumption And The Re-emergence Of Hunger: Over-consumption Combined With Austerity. The Volume Undertakes A Critical Examination Of Food Poverty And Food Security By Addressing Topics Such As Tensions Over The Role Of The State, The Movement Towards Rights And Responsibilities Around Food, And The Rising Tide Of Food Poverty. Auth Ors Also Cover Possible Solutions At Both National And City State Levels. The Editors Conclude With A Chapter That Draws Together The Issues And Locates Solutions Within A Food Policy Framework Of The Total Food System. These Studies Help Reveal The Complexities Of Food Insecurity Within A Global Context, With The Goal Of Clarifying Taken For Granted Assumptions In Present Discourses. Introduction -- Food Security Global Overview -- Food Issues Facing New And Emerging Economies Of South East Asia -- The Paradox Of Undernutrition And Obesity In South Africa: A Contextual Overview Of Food Quality, Access And Availability In The New Democracy -- The Right To Food In India -- Entitlements As Government Responsibility To Entitlements As Government Obligation -- Food Insecurity And Health Disparities: Experiences From New York City -- Creating New Links Between Agriculture And Food Aid: New Perspectives From France -- Food Banks: Big Society Or Shunting Yards? Successful Failures -- The Rise Of Food Inequality In Australia -- Work In Progress: Addressing Food Insecurity In Brazil -- Conclusions And Discussion. Martin Caraher, John Coveney, Editors. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-x Food Poverty and Insecurity: The Poor in a World of Global Austerity....Pages 1-9 Food Security Global Overview....Pages 11-18 Food Issues Facing New and Emerging Economies of Southeast Asia....Pages 19-30 The Paradox of Undernutrition and Obesity in South Africa: A Contextual Overview of Food Quality, Access and Availability in the New Democracy....Pages 31-41 The Right to Food in India—Entitlements as Government Responsibility to Entitlements as Government Obligation....Pages 43-53 Food Insecurity and Health Disparities: Experiences from New York City....Pages 55-65 Creating New Links Between Agriculture and Food Aid: New Perspectives from France....Pages 67-77 Food Banks: Big Society or Shunting Yards? Successful Failures....Pages 79-88 The Rise of Food Inequality in Australia....Pages 89-103 Work in Progress: Addressing Food Insecurity in Brazil....Pages 105-115 Food Austerity; Concluding Thoughts and Reflections....Pages 117-124 Back Matter....Pages 125-126