We spoke with Dan Emery, founder of the American CommunityProject, about some hunger solution options. The ACP is anorganization dedicated to exploring hunger, building awareness andraising funds for agriculture-based hunger solutions.

Given the people helping people philosophy, Emery believes thisis an opportunity for credit unions to serve the underserved via anew, sustainable niche.

In a bid to explore the many faces of hunger across the county,Emery teamed up with a friend Myles Chung to explore organizationsmaking a difference across 48 states in 48 weeks on scooters.

Readmore about the scooter trip across America.

After visiting their first seven states, Emery has found thataccess is the primary cause for food insecurity.

“Some 23.5 million Americans live in areas that don't havereasonable access to fresh, healthy or affordable produce,” saidEmery. “Here are some of the solutions that stand out to me. Ifpeople can do some of these things or even just start conversationsabout getting things like these implemented, that would be a greatstart.”

First Up: School Bound

School Gardens

School gardens or greenhouses could be utilized to provide freshproduce for the school's cafeteria or for backpack programs whichprovide food for food insecure students over weekends and schoolvacations during the school year. The garden can also be used toteach chemistry or biology classes or to host a gardening club.

“Gardening and knowing how to grow their own food is a lifelongskill which can provide a solid foundation for students,” saidEmery. “There is also potential to spread gardening knowledge tothe parents through the students. Students have a certain level ofinfluence with their parents. Examples of this type of influenceare shown through smoking awareness and the safety of wearingseatbelts initiatives.”

Up Next: Rethinking Farming

Urban Farming

“Sole Food Farm outof Vancouver is an amazing project,” said Emery. They've createdraised garden beds that get placed on vacant parking lots. Thesegardens provide employment for the community and it utilizes aspace which will just sit empty for an unknown period of time. SoleFood has also built their gardens in such a way that if theproperty should come under development, they can pick up the gardenbeds with a forklift, load them onto a truck and move them to a newlocation without disrupting the growth.

Up Next: Rethinking Waste

Gleaning

Gather Baltimorewas created by Arthur Morgan. Arthur noticed that fresh produce wasbeing thrown away after a farmers market because it wouldn't lastuntil the next market. So he approached the vendors and asked themif they would be willing to donate this leftover produce. Theyagreed and he brought this produce to low-income and strugglingneighborhoods where he would sell it for pennies on the dollar.

Up Next: Reimagining Business Development

Local Entrepreneurs & BusinessDevelopment

Urbane Developmentis working with Bodegas and other local convenience/grocery storeslocated in food deserts and inner cities to bring fresh produce,meats and breads to those who don't typically get access to thesethings.

Up Next: UnexpectedGardens

Prison Gardens

A prison garden at SanQuentin State Prison has seen remarkable success with itsformer inmates. The rate at which convicts return to prisonaverages around six out of 10. The rate of return for those whohave gone through the gardening program is less than 1 out of 10,its supporters said.

Up Next: Starting Small

Individual Gardens

“Even if it's just one fruit, vegetable or herb – try it,” saidEmery. “Grow a tomato plant, strawberries, green beans, peas,lettuce, chamomile, basil, or cilantro. Find something you like toeat and give it a try. There is something very satisfying andtherapeutic about planting and cultivating a garden. Then when youfinally get to eat the product of your labor, it's incrediblysatisfying.”