Root Causes of Hunger

Hunger doesn’t just “happen.”

It’s a symptom—a product of intertwined circumstances and underlying causes that perpetuate poverty. We can never find a lasting long-term solution for hunger without also addressing these root causes, or without following the leadership of people with firsthand lived experience of poverty and hunger.

Low wages, unemployment and poverty all lead to food insecurity. Extreme weather and pests can destroy crops and reduce food production. Conflict destroys crops and markets, forces people to leave their homes and jobs, and prevents children from getting the nutrition they need. And there are large disparities in who experiences food insecurity at higher rates resulting from systemic racism, sexism, class barriers, ableism, and anti-LGBTQ+ bias.

We work to ending hunger through focusing on its root causes including economic factors, social and environmental issues, and conflict.

Leland Fellow Alaine Johnson studied agricultural market systems in Ghana, uncovering many ways in which traditional gender roles exclude women from participation in agriculture and hold back development.

[Video] The Potential of Photovoice in Nutrition Research in Tajikistan

In traditional households in Tajikistan, your family role often determines when—and what—you eat. Leland Fellow Sarah Pechtl proposes a documentary-style process for gathering information on how hunger and nutrition are tied in with family dynamics and gender roles....

A Pathway to Sustainable Livelihoods and Gender Equality: GALS Methodology in Uganda

Leland Fellow Chika Kondo explores Oxfam’s GALS methodology in practice in Northern Uganda, where it’s being used to increase collaboration between men and women farmers, ultimately leading to stronger, more resilient households and communities....

Reclaiming Self-Sufficiency for Black Farmers: Co-Creating Policy Solutions with Lived Experience in Kentucky

Black people make up 8.5% of the population of Kentucky, but only 0.5% of its farmers. Emerson Fellow Amira Iwuala’s work in Berea, Kentucky, focused on compiling resources to support the needs of under-resourced Black farmers in the state....

Opportunities to Strengthen Nutrition Programs in DC to Address Senior Food Insecurity

Despite offering many nutrition programs for seniors, the District of Columbia’s rate of senior food insecurity is consistently high. Emerson Fellow Fleurian Filkins examined barriers seniors experience in accessing these programs and proposed recommendations to increase food security for seniors in D.C....

[Video] Dream Denied: Portland’s Housing Affordability Crisis, Recent Progress, and What Else Can Still Be Done

The familiar adage “the rent eats first” illustrates the difficult choices that face families who struggle to afford both housing and food. Emerson Fellow Nitan Shanas, placed in Portland, Oregon, reviews that city’s measures to solve its affordable housing crisis and proposes additional paths forward....

Benefits Beyond Agriculture: Engaging Overlooked Populations in Guatemala

In Guatemala, Tina Pruna worked with Mercy Corps to find ways to help women and youth see a future for themselves with agriculture....

Our work building resilient food systems is generously supported by our partners.

Gold Sponsor

Kellanova Better Days Promise is committed to advancing sustainable and equitable access to food, creating Better Days for 4 billion people by the end of 2030.

Silver Sponsor

From small family farms to global shipping lanes, Cargill works every day to implement new sustainable practices to reduce our impact on the planet and protect people.