Eliminating food security – royalpurplenews.com

Report on the Warhawk Pantry’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

• The Warhawk Pantry, operational since 2018 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, provides critical support that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The initiative’s primary mission directly addresses SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by combating food insecurity on campus, a challenge affecting 23% of undergraduate students nationwide.
• The pantry’s services create cascading positive impacts on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Primary Objective: Contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

The fundamental goal of the Warhawk Pantry is the elimination of food insecurity, which is central to achieving SDG 2. The pantry works to ensure that all members of the campus community have access to sufficient and nutritious food.

1. To end hunger by providing reliable access to food for all students and community members in need.
2. To improve nutrition by supplying ingredients necessary for a healthy diet, thereby contributing to the end of all forms of malnutrition.
3. To build a resilient food support system that community members can depend on, particularly during times of increased need such as holidays.

Secondary Impacts on Interlinked Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 1 (No Poverty): By offering food at no cost, the pantry alleviates the financial strain on students, a key factor in poverty reduction.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Access to nutrition is a cornerstone of good health. The pantry supports the physical and mental well-being of students, enabling them to thrive.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Hunger is a significant impediment to learning. By addressing this basic need, the pantry helps ensure students can focus on their education and achieve their full academic potential.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The pantry fosters a more inclusive, safe, and supportive campus community by ensuring that the basic needs of its members are met.

Operational Framework and Seasonal Support

The Warhawk Pantry’s commitment to the community is demonstrated through its operational availability, including special initiatives for events like Thanksgiving to ensure no one is excluded from holiday celebrations due to food scarcity.

Thanksgiving Week Service Details:

• Operating Hours: Monday, November 24, and Wednesday, November 26, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
• Appointment Scheduling: To access services, individuals are required to schedule an appointment.
• Contact Information:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (262) 472-1860

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • This is the primary SDG addressed. The article’s entire focus is on “food insecurity,” the “struggle to find access to food,” and the Warhawk Pantry’s goal to “eliminate food insecurity.” This directly aligns with the mission of SDG 2, which is to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.
• SDG 1: No Poverty
  • While not explicitly mentioned, food insecurity is intrinsically linked to poverty. The need for a food pantry suggests that members of the student community lack the financial resources to afford adequate food, which is a key dimension of poverty. Therefore, addressing food insecurity contributes to alleviating a major symptom of poverty.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
  • The article highlights a specific vulnerable group by stating that “23% of undergraduate students experience food insecurity.” This points to an inequality where a significant portion of the student population lacks access to a basic necessity compared to others. The pantry’s service aims to reduce this inequality by providing support to those in need within the campus community.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • The article directly reflects this target. The Warhawk Pantry’s mission is to ensure the “UW-Whitewater campus and community” has “access to food.” It specifically serves a vulnerable population (students experiencing food insecurity) and aims to provide “nutrients” and “staple foods,” which corresponds to the target’s goal of ensuring access to “nutritious and sufficient food.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES).
   • The article explicitly provides data that serves as this indicator. It states, “Across universities, 23% of undergraduate students experience food insecurity.” This statistic is a direct measurement of the prevalence of food insecurity within a specific population (undergraduate students), which is precisely what Indicator 2.1.2 is designed to track.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: royalpurplenews.com