over the past five years, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in focusing not just on feeding individuals but feeding them healthy, sustainable foods, according to alicia powers, ph.d., the managing director of the ​hunger solutions institute​ at auburn university. 

i sat down with powers to discuss how groups are addressing the ​effects​ of the covid-19 pandemic on food insecurity, as well as how sustainability can be prioritized in the country’s response. 

she explained that after the 2007-08 recession, it took the united states 10 years to reach​ pre-recession numbers. as we are now seeing a “tremendous ​uptick​” due to the pandemic it will, at minimum, take government programs, good agricultural practices, and the work of charitable organizations to respond to the nation’s current level of need, she said.