This natural integration of science into regular activities made me realize the power we have — as scientists and researchers — to make a contribution that benefits communities.
What: farm to food programs help communities thrive
Food insecurity harms a person’s physical and mental health across developmental stages. It also undermines their well-being and performance at school and work. One in 10 New York households experiences it, and the rate has risen since 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic began.
“Food insecurity is a public health issue,” said Figueroa. “Traditional solutions are currently insufficient and are being dismantled, with no clear view on the horizon for the problem to slow down.”
Figueroa examines how farm-to-food assistance programs like Nourish NY and New York Food for Families are implemented and evaluated. Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, these programs bring locally grown produce to households experiencing food insecurity through partnerships between community-based organizations, institutional feeding programs, and small to mid-sized farms. Farm-to-food models expanded during the pandemic in response to widespread supply chain disruptions.
His qualitative research shows that these models reduce food waste, increase access to nutrient dense foods and strengthen local food-system partnerships. They help individuals make ends meet and recipients view them as an acceptable form of nutritional assistance.
Like SNAP, they also provide a local economic benefit by stabilizing demand for nearby farms. Every dollar spent through SNAP adds an additional 50 to 80 cents of economic activity in the community where the SNAP dollars are used.
“For the most part, we have a small snapshot that these programs fill a gap in the food assistance landscape,” Figueroa said. “Next, we want to ask: Are people experiencing better health as a result of these programs? And from a dietary-pattern perspective, are the foods they’re consuming actually more nutritious?”
Why: addressing the root causes of food insecurity
New and traditional programs may reduce food insecurity, but they are not solving the problem, which carries widespread consequences.
Individuals who experience food insecurity — whether temporary or chronic — face a higher risk of diet-related chronic disease and other negative health outcomes.
“If we really want to promote health in our country, addressing food security becomes a priority for public health,” said Figueroa. “Our traditional forms of producing, distributing and consuming foods are making us sicker and making our planet less resilient.”
Figueroa identifies food waste as a major factor undermining both planetary health and nutrition security. An estimated 94 billion pounds of food is wasted annually, even as a growing number of households struggle to access what they need.
“We have enough food to feed everyone,” Figueroa said. “But we have people becoming more ill and we have people less able to access the foods they need to meet dietary recommendations.”
He sees an urgent need for a systemic shift in how we grow, process and distribute food. It is a daunting challenge, but Figueroa remains hopeful. His optimism is fueled by the people with whom he partners – from local farmers to food pantry workers.
“I am very excited to continue this work even knowing that there's not an overnight fix,” he said. “By surrounding yourself with the right people and understanding that there's a great proportion of people that want to find equitable solutions that actually work and are sustainable gives me hope.”