Advancing Nutrition Security
If you’re like many people, you are scratching your head over the term “nutrition security.” While it’s commonly used by government agencies, in scientific documents, and medical journals, it’s only gradually creeping into mainstream lingo. Popular terminology or not, nutrition security is an integral part of the work that you support through your gifts to FEI.
What is nutrition security?
According to experts, nutrition security is the consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being and prevent, and sometimes treat, disease particularly among racial or ethnic minority populations, lower income populations, and rural and remote populations.
Nutrition security is different from food security, because the focus is on providing nutrient-dense foods, not just calories.
This is a viewpoint that has always been supported by FEI but is now gaining traction around the country.
“Food insecurity is only one side of the coin,” said Dr. Sara Bleich, Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity at the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service in a January 18, 2022 conference address. “At USDA, we are committed to also promoting nutrition security.”
Now, the USDA is announcing that they will tackle both food and nutrition insecurity by strengthening programs to remove any barriers to make sure all individuals and families have a reliable nutrition safety net. One that not only gives people calories, but gives them calories that count.
Since 2014 one of FEI’s goals has been to improve health and end hunger by providing our clients with foods for their prescribed diets and that meet their nutritional needs. In other words, providing them with both food and nutrition security.
