Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

5-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Program

Liberal Studies

Advisor

Melissa Checker

Subject Categories

Sustainability

Keywords

food; food subsidies; gender; stigma; structural violence; sustainability

Abstract

The only universal thing about food is that everyone needs to eat. In the United States, there are more instances of food insecurity than impoverishment. Governmental and local food aid programs are complex but are essentially motivated by socioeconomic issues. Food aid programs, from community gardening to Food Stamps, initially stem from a depression-era need to stimulate the economy. However, as socioeconomic issues change, food aid programs also evolve to meet those needs. By excavating different pieces of literature that discuss issues in food aid, the forms of structural violence that cause hunger come to life. This piece discusses community gardens, urban farming, WIC, SNAP, food cooperatives, the National School Lunch Program, and farm subsidies. As we are currently battling a great recession, food aid programs are being used as economic stimulus. However, food aid programs serve to pacify hungry people without solving the issue of hunger.

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