Food Insecurity In Chicago

The Problem

Illinois has faced a variety of struggles, conflicts, and hurdles over its long history, but one which faces us now is food insecurity. Though food security is a struggle which the United States faces as a whole, it appears that Illinois and the city of Chicago is one of the Country's more heavily affected areas. Through arduous research and study, organizations have found that as of 2019 over 1 million people within the state struggle with gaining nutrious food (Feeding America). Cook County (the county in which Chicago resides) would account for nearly 40% of this population alone, with 1 in 10 people in the county facing the obstacle. This issue would only act to further affect those who live in lower-income neighborhoods and families, as food insecurity would do more damage to these communities than others, fueling the divide between areas and peoples inside the city.

Food Deserts

Deserts are notorious for there lack of basic necessities including any source of food or water. But were you aware that these deserts also exist within our cities? There are areas within Chicago were residents have far less access to healthy food than they should, many of these areas beings predominately low-income or large minority population (usually residing in Chicago's south or west side). Population density and ease of transportation would also contribute to the problem, as the journey for food becomes far too strenuous for many to realistically get to food banks. “A large area of the south side averages over a mile to the nearest supermarket, a level similar to most outer ring suburbs, but in a relatively densely populated area with many households not having cars.” (Illinois Advisory Committee, 7)