The Fight Against Food Insecurity: How Ancient Methods Might Be the Answer (2024)

Student(s):  Leia’lani Dibble

Project Mentor:  Timothy Messner

Poster

Research shows that food insecurity affects 24.9% of New York households, including 21.3% of homes in Franklin County and 12% in St. Lawrence County. To understand and begin to address the problem in the North Country, I identified available local resources and explored how other states and countries handle food insecurity. Montana provides grants to build community gardens. Minnesota funds a year-round mobile food pantry to deliver food to those who cannot otherwise access it. Some countries advocate for a greater reliance on traditional food preservation strategies. This study reports on similar efforts in the North Country with attention given to the importance of  gardening and traditional food preservation.