Mayor Scott is increasing his commitment to addressing food insecurity to $26 million.
Pastor Shannon Wright, a community activist joined Fox45 to discuss the food insecurity issues leading to poor health outcomes and increased health costs.
Pastor Wright says funding is crucial.
“There are basic things families like to do, keep a roof over their head and food on the table.” “When you have food insecurity and food deserts, and you don’t have access to fresh nutritional food. It makes it difficult for families to do basic things they need to do every day.” Pastor Wright said.
Food insecurity rates rose from 18-21% in Baltimore. Feeding America says 33% of children are food insecure in the city.
“The issue has gotten so bad in Baltimore City that the city used to just track food deserts but they are starting to blend into each otherthe current statistics are 1 and 4 in Baltimore regardless of your income, is food insecure. Just because you don’t have access to good nutritional food.”
Pastor Wright says supermarkets have a razor-thin profit margin.
“Here’s the problem, when folks don’t have a way to get food on the table, they look to do things they may not ordinarily do. So, it kind of makes crime go up a little bit. If you were to bring supermarkets into the city, if you could incentivize supermarkets into the city it would help in the long run lower crime.”
Pastor Wright mentions the biggest reasons why supermarkets aren’t coming to Baltimore.
“Right now the city is not properly managed from an economic perspective. Taxes are ridiculously high, the school systems are broken. If a supermarket wants to come in, they aren’t going to be able to encourage people to want to come here, buy a house, feel safe, and put their kids in public school. You have to fix the major issues in the city.” Pastor Wright adds.