Food Security & Hunger Elimination

Dominick Bilardo

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Liberal Arts

Major: BA.PSYCHOLOGY

Faculty Research Mentor: Sarah Coykendall

Abstract:

Purpose & Background:

Kean’s Human Rights Institute (HRI) aims to ensure food is a human right while also supporting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – End Hunger. Unfortunately, with high global food prices, this objective is more important than ever. The average price of food will increase between 3.0 percent and 5.9 percent nationwide in 2026 and the average price of food at home will increase up to 6-7 percent as well. HRI advocates putting an end to food insecurity, which is a gross violation of the human right to food, through community partnerships and education.

Advocacy:

One major goal of our advocacy is to provide access to the New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to college students.

Summary and Impact:

SNAP and local food banks have an immediate impact on food insecurity of low-income residents by decreasing food insecurity rates by over 30%. In addition to providing immediate relief, these programs improve nutrition, health, child development, and economic stability. Through the provision of nutritional foods, the HRI supports students’ ability to focus on their education, which ultimately helps to achieve “Zero Hunger” and reinforces long term economic stability.