|
Food insecurity can be difficult for journalists to cover consistently because of its seeming invisibility, and food access issues cross over multiple beats. During a panel discussion today, food insecurity reporters shared how they’ve covered the issue affecting communities across the U.S. with empathy and dignity at the core. People-oriented story pitches they shared included:
On the education beat
In 2020, Congress made school lunches free for students as part of pandemic stimulus packages. But the universal free lunch program has ended this academic year.
Some questions to consider:
-
How are parents in your district responding to the end of this program? Are there any local measures in place to help families in need?
- How are schools dealing with the return of students and the loss of free school meals? What are the administrators and teachers saying about this?
-
California became the first state to enact a Universal Meals Program for all public school students. What is the impact of free meals on children’s educational outcomes?
On the economy beat
Earlier this year, President Joe Biden raised the minimum wage for federal employees and contractors to $15 per hour. Yet the federal minimum wage has been stagnant at $7.25 per hour since 2009, despite rising inflation. And while 11 states and D.C. will increase their minimum wages in 2023, many Americans are still struggling to make ends meet.
Some story ideas for business reporters:
- What is the relationship between food insecurity and minimum wage? As the minimum wage rises, are workers better able to afford food or does the extra money go toward other expenses like rent, childcare, or transportation?
-
How do those working in the food industry afford food for themselves? How many hours are they working per week to meet their expenses? How many employees at large grocery chains like Wal-Mart receive public assistance?
-
What happens to food access when two large grocery chains merge?
-
How have food delivery companies like Instacart, DoorDash, and GrubHub impacted food access in your area? How do “gig economy” workers like delivery drivers make ends meet?
On the housing beat
A homelessness crisis continues in the U.S., and housing reporters can integrate food insecurity in their coverage in several ways.
- After an eviction, how do families that are living in a motel prepare meals without access to a full kitchen?
- How do families staying at shelters buy food in bulk to save money? Where do they keep their supplies?
On the health beat
The use of lead-based paint in houses was banned in 1978, but the presence of lead in some older houses still exists today — especially in lower income neighborhoods without the resources to rebuild.
Studies have shown that lead toxicity can occur with nutritional deficiencies and high intakes of dietary fat.
- What happens when children living in older homes with lead-based paint are not getting enough nutrients?
There are many benefits of a healthy diet, which is why highlighting food access issues is important. Here are some final story considerations:
These story ideas were presented at a program organized by the National Press Club Journalism Institute. Panelists included:
-
Alejandro Figueroa, food reporter for WYSO
-
Bridget Huber, reporter with the Food and Environment Reporting Network
-
Lauren Lindstrom, independent journalist focused on health and housing and O’Brien Fellow in Public Service Journalism at Marquette University
-
Karen Robinson-Jacobs, investigative reporter on the Public Service Journalism team at Lee Enterprises
| 
