Our understanding of “food deserts” has shifted dramatically in the 15-20 years since the idea first entered the public lexicon. Food access, especially to affordable, nutritious, minimally processed food, is shaped by much more than the geographic distribution of grocery stores. Public policy has both perpetuated and alleviated aspects of this crisis through SNAP (“food stamps”), while mega–corporations both contribute massive donations to food banks and ensure the continued need for food banks by paying less than a living wage. We invite you to join the conversation on the economic and political power of food as we seek solutions at local, state, and national levels.
Moderator: Naim Edwards, Director of the MSU Detroit Partnership in Food, Learning and Innovation
Panelists:
- Katherine Alaimo, Associate Professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition; Director of the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Undergraduate Program
- Steven Haider, Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics
- Alex B. Hill, Anthropologist and Cartographer
- Dawn Opel, Director for Research and Strategic Initiatives for the Food Bank Council of Michigan