COLUMBUS, Ohio – Feeding the world begins with feeding our neighbors is a message at the heart of a new call to action to create a better food system for Ohio.

Ernie Shea, president and CEO of the group Solutions from the Land, says farmers are facing increasingly complex markets, low commodity prices and volatile weather that exacerbates crop losses and degrades the environment.

At the same time, he notes, 15 percent of Ohioans don't know where their next meal will come from.

So the Ohio Smart Agriculture: Solutions from the Land project has developed a blueprint for tackling the challenges of hunger, poor health and environmental degradation.

"This is a massive undertaking,” Shea states. “But the policies and programs of the past are not adequate to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

“And that's why we're forging ahead with this groundbreaking call to action and approach to meeting the needs in Ohio."

There are 50 recommendations that Shea says will boost profitability for farmers, restore environmental resilience and build strong communities.

Ideas include helping farmers adjust to new weather patterns and create cleaner air and water; improving health and nutrition for Ohioans and building new infrastructure for a more diverse farming economy.

Shea says making Ohio agriculture and the food system a public policy priority will help expand access to local fruit, vegetables and meat.

"We'll be sourcing food closer to home,” he explains. “It will be fresher, it will stimulate economic development and job growth along the way, and all of these things are part of this integrated-systems approach to improving the food system in the state."

Shea says the blueprint considers agriculture, the environment and rural and urban communities as a system, and examines options and opportunities that benefit all.

"There needs to be some table that all of these partners can sit around and share ideas and energy and forge consensus,” he states. “So we are creating a food, farm and health alliance, the place to come together to collaborate in achieving a shared vision."

Shea says his group’s recommendations are just the beginning, and is inviting policymakers, philanthropic organizations, business leaders, researchers and others to join their call to action.


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AUGUSTA, Maine -- School meals in Maine will be free for all students again this year and into the future, but parents are being urged to fill out meal benefit forms anyway.

The income information is linked to other resources school districts can access, from funding for Title I to after-school and summer programs and special education. The U.S. Department of Agriculture extended its free breakfast and lunch program through the 2021 to 2022 school year, and the Maine Legislature included free school meals for the future in the budget bill passed earlier this month.

Anna Korsen, advocacy director for Full Plates Full Potential, said while families don't need to worry about being eligible for school meals, other state and federal resources are needed for students to thrive.

"It's a big piece of helping your school," Korsen asserted. "And it's a way that families can make sure that all students in their school districts have access to educational resources, nutrition resources."

Korsen added before the pandemic, nearly 45% of Maine kids were eligible for free meals, but many more students than expected participated when it was opened up to everyone.

Korsen argued having free school meals is a big step toward improving child food security in Maine overall. She pointed out eligibility requirements in the past did not always capture what the need truly was.

"When there's stigma, a lot of food-insecure students just choose not to eat," Korsen explained. "And when meals are provided free of charge to all students, more kids eat at school, especially the students who are experiencing food insecurity."

Research shows when students are well-fed, their educational outcomes are much better. If a child is hungry, they may have a harder time focusing on the material in class.

Maine and California are the only two states so far to extend free school meals beyond the USDA extension, but there are calls in other states to follow their example.

LINCOLN, Neb. -- After a new state law expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program formerly known as food stamps, more Nebraskans could start receiving food assistance as early as this week, and a growing number of food producers and farmer's markets are hoping some of those federal dollars will end up in their pockets.

Eric Savaiano, economic justice program manager for Nebraska Appleseed, said the incentive program known as Double Up Food Bucks is a great way for families to access locally grown, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables to fuel kids' summer activities.

"The Double Up Food Bucks is part of the SNAP program that allows participants to go to local farmer's markets and retailers and double their money," Savaiano explained. "They can spend up to $20 and get $40 worth of produce."

Last session, lawmakers expanded eligibility for SNAP to eliminate the so-called cliff effect, where workers who get small pay increases lose hundreds of dollars in food assistance. Agencies can now consider expenses including child care when assessing need.

For assistance navigating the enrollment process for SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks, call the Food Bank of the Heartland toll-free at 855-444-5556.

Savaiano pointed out getting more eligible Nebraskans enrolled in SNAP will not only put healthy food on more family tables, it can help state and local economies rebound from the economic fallout of COVID-19. Every federal tax dollar returning to Nebraska in SNAP benefits generates as much as $1.80 in economic activity, money that supports local grocery stores and farmers.

"We know that SNAP is a great program to support folks experiencing food insecurity, but it is also a great program to help with the economic recovery associated with the pandemic," Savaiano emphasized.

Farmers and other food producers can also sign up for the Farmer's Market Nutrition Programs for Seniors and Women, Infants and Children through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Older residents and families with children can get coupons to buy locally grown food exclusively at produce stands certified by the agency. The programs also ensure farmers get fair market prices for their goods.

BOISE, Idaho -- Boise State University nursing students and the Idaho Foodbank are teaming up to establish healthy food as crucial medicine for Idahoans.

The nursing students are helping the Foodbank develop food "farmacies" in Idaho.

Jeannine Suter, an adjunct member of the faculty at the Boise State University School of Nursing, said the idea of food as medicine has been eye-opening for the students and for her.

"They know what food insecurity is. They know what eating healthy is," Suter explained. "But combining those two concepts to say, 'OK, these people who are food insecure with chronic health conditions. Oh, we can help them with these prescriptions and these food pharmacies.'"

Food insecurity is linked to higher incidences of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart and kidney diseases. One in nine Idahoans is experiencing food insecurity, according to recent data from Feeding America. For children, the rate is even higher: about one in eight.

Shannon Rumsey, clinical associate professor at the Boise State University School of Nursing, said rural parts of the state suffer most from food insecurity and lack of access to healthy foods. But being able to refer people to more nutritious sources in partnership with Idaho Foodbank will help fill that gap.

"I know when I worked in a hospital, I would try to tell patients, 'You can eat this, you can't eat this anymore, you can eat this,'" Rumsey recounted. "But I never would even really assess, 'OK, do you even have access to this food that I want you to eat?'"

Amy Luginbill, director of community initiatives for the Idaho Foodbank, said the pandemic hit the state hard, but it has also motivated more people to work together.

"From the pandemic, one of the positive takeaways has been what we've experienced almost overwhelming support and encouragement of collaboration at a community level between organizations," Luginbill stated.

The nursing school is going to refine the food "farmacy" program and hopes to launch a site next semester.