Mutual aid organisations and their role in reducing food insecurity in Chicago's urban communities during COVID-19.

Saria Lofton,Marjorie Kersten,Akilah Martin,Shannon D Simonovich

doi:10.1017/s1368980021003736

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted food security and food access in urban communities of colour. Loss of income, often associated with food insecurity, has affected Hispanic, Black, low-wage workers, single mothers and women of colour more than other groups of individuals. Mutual aid organisations have proliferated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet a description of the contributions of these organisations in addressing food insecurity has yet to be described in the literature to date. This article aims to describe the unique role and contributions of mutual aid organisations in addressing food insecurity and food access disparities in Chicago's communities of colour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local mutual aid organisations can function as hubs to feed urban communities while reducing food waste and building community. During the pandemic, mutual aid organisations in Chicago have distributed thousands of pounds of food to families and individuals. Mutual aid organisations provide short-term food security while engaging with community members to create a more equitable and sustainable food system. The development of robust mutual aid hubs facilitated unique opportunities for collaboration and expansion of infrastructure that may allow mutual aid organisations to address food access in their communities well into the future.

Highlights

Across the country, the pandemic has adversely impacted food security and food access in urban communities of colour[1,2]
Mutual aid organisations use a strengthsbased, holistic approach that emphasises shared power distribution amongst participants[13]. As it relates to improving food access and food security, mutual aid organisations support the local food system by building social, human and financial capacities, which are foundational in the resilience of food systems[13]
Mutual aid organisations rely on the expectation of reciprocity, while the traditional emergency food system provides food and monetary resources to purchase food without the expectation of individuals ever giving back[12]

Summary

Introduction

The pandemic has adversely impacted food security and food access in urban communities of colour[1,2]. As it relates to improving food access and food security, mutual aid organisations support the local food system by building social, human and financial capacities, which are foundational in the resilience of food systems[13]. Mutual aid organisations align with food sovereignty because they provide community members with the power to define the food they procure and the ways in which food is procured in accordance with the needs of their community.

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Results

Conclusion