Food Security

Food Security is a complex issue- there is more to it than having or not having enough food to eat. At minimum, food security includes the availability of adequate and safe foods and the assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. In Alachua County, there are an estimated 50,000 food insecure people.

One organization which seeks to tackle this problem is Florida Certified Organic Growers and
Consumers, Inc. In 2010, FOG implemented a plan called Community Vision for Food System Development in
Gainesville-Alachua County: A Local Food Action Plan. The plan has four key recommendations:

1. Increase food security by increasing food production
in Gainesville and surrounding area.

2. Increase availability of fresh and healthy local foods
by developing an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)
system for farmers markets.

3. Increase knowledge and awareness of healthy
eating through expanded nutrition education and
networking.

4. Increase opportunities for local farmers by providing
more local products to businesses and institutions
through an improved food distribution system.

The plan seeks to make sure Alachua County Residents are not only getting enough food, but enough healthy food. Only 43.7% of people surveyed in Alachua County said they could afford to purchase fresh food and vegetables. But 92.4% said they would eat fruit and vegetables if they could obtain them.

FOG's four key steps will pave the way to better food security in Alachua County.