Access to food and good nutrition are essential to leading healthy and productive lives.

In February, each year our community highlights food insecurity in Burlington and the programs and people working to address it.

Food insecurity is the inability to acquire or consume an adequate diet of quality or sufficient food, or the uncertainty that one will be able to do so. While many people in our community are fortunate to have a full fridge and a stocked pantry, many Burlingtonians still go without, many of whom are children.

Almost 17,000 people in Burlington are living at, or below, the low income threshold.

In recent weeks, I have participated in events hosted by local organizations that help community members get the food they need to access a healthy diet to support their overall well-being. These organizations, such as Food for Life and the Burlington Food Bank, support over 6,000 community members each month and provide supports that foster community building and environmental sustainability through food diversion programs.