Food Insecurity affects 1 in 7 individuals in our State. Food inequity affects people of color, women, children, the elderly, chronically ill, economically challenged, homeless, people with disabilities, indigenous, substance abusers, people with mental challenges and dementia, and those who live in isolated rural settings.
THE ISSUE: Throughout Washington State there are areas known as Food Deserts. A food desert has no food resources, such as a grocery store, restaurant, food bank, meal program, or convenience store, but has a population needing nutritional support. These populations are usually no or low income; elder adults, families living in cars, homeless veterans, children, women, and men.
OUR PLAN: In 2015 OSL plans to purchase an 18 foot step side van, $140,000, that is fully equipped as a Mobile Kitchen.
This will allow us to deliver meals directly in food deserts throughout the greater Seattle area. A food desert has no access to life sustaining food, yet has a population in need of sustenance. We project that with this vehicle we will serve 20,000 unduplicated individuals struggling with hunger in our community. This vehicle will also serve as an educational lab for populations challenged with hunger, providing training on nutritional meal preparation using foods from donated sources.
