UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Michael Fakhri told the Guardian that the U.S. must recognize the Right to Food in order to repair its food system which is currently contributing to climate change, a public health crisis and rising hunger. According to the USDA, the number of people experiencing food insecurity in the U.S. rose from 33.8 million to 44.2 million between 2021 and 2022. This alarming jump in food insecurity includes 13 million children, a 45% increase since 2021.
There is no doubt we are at an important crossroads in our struggle to end food insecurity in this country and around the world. According to Fakhri, policies, programs and actions -- from the local to the federal -- can follow the right path if they take the one that leads to a deeper understanding of food as a basic human right.