Happy New Year to all our members and supporters in Hunger Action LA. But as you already know there is not much yet “happy” about it.
For those who were around when we “rang in the new year” with the Northridge earthquake in 1994, the fires and subsequent human loss, suffering and misery are triggering memories and emotions. As with COVID we have already seen an overwhelming response, which is a good sign that our emergency food system is working well. But for the disasters to come there needs to be sustained preparedness at the state level, and that is something HALA will be pushing in Sacramento this year.
And even as people flee the fires, rumors about deportation of immigrants has many on edge.. The threatened deportation of 20 million people will generate a chilling effect even in people who are legally here and who are qualified for public benefits like CalFresh for food assistance. They may stay away from programs that can help them get enough to eat, and prefer to go hungry.
That same administration is filled with appointees hostile to public benefits in general, who a few years ago attempted to severely restrict SNAP benefits and are likely to attempt to do so again, including using arguments related to healthy eating . RFK Jr’s appointment as a health czar could lead to a mixed bag of results. On one hand his interest in healthy food has been noted and Governor Newsom has tried to get out ahead on this message with an executive order about finding ways to reduce ultra-processed food. This could help us to get more permanent state investments in the variety of food programs---CalFood donations from farmers to food banks, Market Match, Sun Bucks---that currently help our low income residents.
On the other hand RFK Jr’s notorious extreme anti-vaccination stance could hinder efforts to contain bird flu which is now beginning to spread to humans, but also is impacting food security in the increase yet again in the cost of eggs (and this was supposedly one of the big campaign issues that got Trump elected.) In many stores eggs have disappeared from the shelves. A concerted campaign to protect our food supply must include support from those who are not part of the industrial food chain---our local farmers who do not use chemical processes in growing food. California has more small-acreage farmers than any other state. Our food is a precious resource.
All of these things will indeed take a universe of compassionate volunteers, dedicated donors and fearless advocates, willing to take part in a turning point in our nation’s long fight against hunger. And it’s a fight that has two sides, regardless of the public belief that “everyone is against hunger.” Everyone talks a good game, but many don’t admit or want to realize that fighting to make the rich even richer contributes to hunger. And many others in our country sadly will take delight in hearing that people they don’t like, such as immigrants, unhoused people, or poor people in general, will struggle to get enough to eat.
But for those who don’t get the disconnect between their belief that they are against hunger and poverty, vs. the consequences of the policies of the people they have just voted into office, there may come a rude awakening (hopefully.) Trickle-down economics was disproven long ago. It is time for everyone to grow up and declare that in the year 2025 with people gawking over a vacuum cleaner that can pick up and move your socks out of the way---something we’ve all needed for centuries---we still can’t feed everyone, regardless of their amount of work effort or the ability to produce record amounts of food .
Please join us!
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