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Closing the Food Gap: A Historical
Review and Future Perspective
Mark Winne
Community Food Security Coalition
Mark Winne

Former executive director of the
Hartford Food System (1979 to 2003)

Community Food Security Coalition
-
-
Co-founder
Director of Food Policy Council
Project

Author of Closing the Food Gap
(Beacon Press, 2008)

Contact: win5m@aol.com;
505-983-3047; www.markwinne.com
3
Section A
History
Emergence: The 1960s

Hunger and poverty

Social, economic, and racial
disparities

Organic food

Environmentalism
5
Emerging Trends and Responses: The 1970s

Supermarket abandonment of urban and rural communities

Federal anti-hunger programs (food stamps)

Anti-poverty programs (Head Start)

Farmers’ markets, community gardens, food co-ops, etc.
6
Emerging Trends and Responses: The 1970s

Supermarket abandonment of urban and rural communities

Federal anti-hunger programs (food stamps)

Anti-poverty programs (Head Start)

Farmers’ markets, community gardens, food co-ops, etc.
7
Divergence: The 1980s

Decline in anti-poverty initiatives (Reagan)

Rise in food banks and other private charity

Growing interest in organic food and organic certification (60
Minutes exposé on Alar)

Organic and anti-hunger movements miss opportunity to work
together

Justice and sustainability go their own ways
8
Divergence: The 1980s

Decline in anti-poverty initiatives (Reagan)

Rise in food banks and other private charity

Growing interest in organic food and organic certification (60
Minutes exposé on Alar)

Organic and anti-hunger movements miss opportunity to work
together

Justice and sustainability go their own ways
9
The Food Gaps: 2009

Hunger and food insecurity (49
million)

Overweight, obesity, and dietrelated illness (65% overall; higher
in those with lower incomes)

Lack of food democracy

Food deserts (over 20 million
people; 800 rural counties)

Growth in organic food and
awareness of link between health
and diet
10
The Food Gaps: 2009

Hunger and food insecurity (49
million)

Overweight, obesity, and dietrelated illness (65% overall; higher
in those with lower incomes)

Lack of food democracy

Food deserts (over 20 million
people; 800 rural counties)

Growth in organic food and
awareness of link between health
and diet
11
Results: Trends Go Awry

Food relief (poverty management) takes priority over reducing
poverty

Calories more important than food quality

Fast food takes over; community development and wealth building
decline

Obesity and diabetes for many, local and organic for more
12