Access to nutritious food is tied to larger fights for racial and environmental justice. For advocates working on eliminating hunger, the fight for food security is a fight for social justice. 

McDonald’s and Black America

Fast food is often blamed for the high rates of obesity and diabetes among African-Americans.  But in many Black communities, McDonald’s has become more than just a fast-food chain. The company has also played a role in the civil rights movement and Black capitalism. 

Historian Marcia Chatelain explores this rich and complex history in her new book, Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, which won the Pulitzer Prize for History.

Fighting hunger in the U.S.

Despite a decade-long decline in hunger, in recent years, more Americans are facing food insecurity.  Of the 44 million Americans struggling to get enough food, more than 1 in 5 are children. 

Melony Samuels founded the Campaign Against Hunger in 2005 and currently serves as executive director.  The organization serves more than 300,000 people every year.

Clean energy for indigenous communities

Across the country – and the world – climate change has made it harder for tribes to produce and access traditional foods. Sustainable solutions to address the food crisis will require a shift away from fossil fuels. Cheri Smith is the founder and CEO of Indigenized Energy Initiative, which uses solar to eradicate energy poverty.

Colombian miners transition to beekeeping

In Colombia, illegal mining poses severe environmental and health threats. But some communities are taking action by transitioning to another profitable and much more eco-friendly industry: bee-keeping.