The author of an economical cookbook fights for the right of millions of children not to stay hungry in the summer.
'10.08.2017'
Source: WFSU
Many people think of summer as a time for family picnics and relaxing on the lake, but for 13,1 million American children who are not sufficiently provided with food, the reality is completely different. He writes about it WFSU.
For children from low-income families, summer is not nature hot dogs or gatherings near a fire, but uncertainty, because they don’t know when they can eat normally the next time.
“During the summer, 6 out of 7 children do not have access to school feeding programs. If you're a parent of two, that's at least 10 extra meals a day for the same budget as during school, ”explains Stacy McDaniel, National Hunger Representative for the Chicago YMCA USA.
And as a result - the children go hungry. Many children go hungry. Because during the school year they have regular meals, but during the holidays they do not get enough food for their development.
This is evidenced by the author of the cookbook Liann Brown. She has been a fighter for healthy nutrition for many years and has written a book on how to achieve this in a small family budget.
“Children shouldn't go hungry,” she says. "Their brains cannot develop properly, they may not have a chance of a decent life."
Her cookbook, Good and Cheap, offering tips and recipes for healthy nutrition for 4 dollars a day (a typical amount received on food stamps) was released in 2014 year.
So far, she has released more than 100 000 hard copies of the book and a million copies of the free version in PDF format.
This summer, she is working on child hunger awareness - and the resources available to help - by teaming up with Y-USA.
“I really hope we can have a strong say in empowering families to eat the way they deserve,” says Brown.
Y-USA Summer Food Program funded by a Foundation grant Walmartwas launched in 2011 year. This year it will total about 7,2 million snacks and dishes for 300 000 children in the United States.
The organization holds a series of free events in which families receive lunch, a lecture and cooking tips from Liann Brown, as well as a signed copy of the book Good and Cheap.
Two actions have already been held in Boston and Rochester, New York, and two more are planned in Nashville and Indianapolis in early August.
According to Brown, lectures help families get quality food - even on a very low budget.
“It is difficult to feed your children with very little income, but it is still possible. And if you follow some simple advice, then many will be able to provide normal food for their children and at home during the holidays, ”she says.
“This is more than just food. It is about nutritious and balanced nutrition for children to help them reach their potential and develop, ”adds McDaniel of Y-USA.
Danica Mozes is a Boston public school teacher and the mother of three boys aged 19, 6 and 4 years. Together with them, her mother, niece and nephew, she attended the Brown event in Boston.
“I am always looking at how to feed my kids healthy foods and snacks. The food is so expensive, but the idea that it doesn't have to be that way is very appealing. If I can save somewhere, but still offer good food, I can make sure the money is spent more efficiently, ”says Danika.
In her lectures, Brown provided dietary recommendations that would be available for low-income families, but balanced and nutritious. In particular, Liann advised to eat more vegetables and fruits.
“A lot of people have asked questions about how to make Brussels sprouts better,” Moses says with a laugh.
Like all the other participants in the event, Moses received a free copy of “Good and Cheap,” which she began to read when she returned home.
“I was leafing through the recipe book and thought that I should try this dish and this one. There are five different recipes for oatmeal, and this is a great breakfast for my whole family. We love healthy but light meals, ”Moses shares.
Liann Brown argues that many ignore the problem of malnutrition among children and do not consider it something important.
“If you don’t fight it, then you don’t think about it. We live in our own world and do not see what is happening outside our homes, ”says McDaniel of Y-USA.
That is why Gillian Meyer, director of the Uniting Efforts Against Child Hunger campaign, says that everyone can tell about their resources, such as Y-USA, that are accessible to those in need.
“The most important thing we need to do is help more families learn about summer meal programs,” she says. - One easy way to find your local site is to text the word "FOOD" or "COMIDA" at 877-877. Enter your zip code and you will receive a text with information about the nearest sites where you can order free summer meals. "
For Brown, her collaboration with Y-USA was a pleasant way not only to spread information about child hunger, but also directly to help others.
“Food can be so ordinary - we just have to eat three times a day. For any mother who doesn’t have enough money for simple food, the obligation to feed her baby three times a day can be hard work and stress. Therefore, any time I can help such parents, I help, ”she says.
