Report on Food Security Initiatives in Wayne County, Michigan

Addressing SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

An estimated 1.4 million adults in Michigan experience food insecurity, a significant challenge to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger). To address this, local initiatives are being implemented to provide essential nutritional support. A program has been established to distribute fresh food boxes, which include fruits and vegetables, directly contributing to SDG Target 2.1, ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food. This focus on fresh produce also directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting improved nutrition for families.

Activating SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

In a key demonstration of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the non-profit organization Focus: HOPE has partnered with the Wayne County Commission. This multi-stakeholder collaboration leverages the strengths of both civil society and government to implement an effective food distribution program for families residing outside the Detroit city limits, showcasing a localized approach to achieving global development targets.

Event Logistics and Community Impact (SDG 10 & SDG 11)

The program is structured to maximize accessibility and reduce inequalities, in line with SDG 10. Food will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no pre-registration required, thereby removing potential barriers to access for vulnerable populations. These events contribute to building more inclusive and resilient communities, a core objective of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Schedule of Distribution Events

1. Saturday, Aug. 9, at 9:00 a.m.

   • Roosevelt High School | 540 Eureka, Wyandotte, MI 48192

2. Saturday, Aug. 23, at 9:00 a.m.

   • Edsel Ford High School | 20601 Rotunda Dr, Dearborn, MI 48124

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

   The article primarily addresses two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 2: Zero Hunger: This is the most direct SDG connection. The article’s central theme is “food insecurity” and the effort to provide food to families who lack regular access to enough food. The initiative described, which involves distributing fresh food boxes, is a direct response to hunger and malnutrition at a local level.
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article explicitly mentions a collaboration to tackle the issue of food insecurity. The statement, “Focus: HOPE has partnered with the Wayne County Commission to support families,” highlights a public-civil society partnership, which is a key component of SDG 17. This goal emphasizes the need for cross-sector collaboration to achieve sustainable development objectives.

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

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.” The article directly relates to this target by discussing the challenge for families “of getting their families enough to eat regularly” and describing the food distribution events aimed at providing “fresh fruit and vegetables” to these families.
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The partnership between Focus: HOPE (a civil society organization) and the Wayne County Commission (a public entity) is a clear example of the type of collaboration this target aims to foster. Their joint effort to organize food distribution events demonstrates an active partnership working towards a common goal.

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

   Yes, the article mentions or implies indicators for the identified targets:

   • Indicator for Target 2.1: The article provides data relevant to Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). The statement, “Feeding America estimates about 1.4 million adults in Michigan experience the challenge of getting their families enough to eat regularly,” serves as a direct measure of food insecurity within the state, providing a baseline against which the success of interventions like the one described can be measured.
   • Indicator for Target 17.17: While a specific quantitative indicator is not mentioned, the article provides qualitative evidence of progress. The existence of the partnership itself—”Focus: HOPE has partnered with the Wayne County Commission”—and its tangible outcome (the scheduled food distribution events) serve as an implied indicator. It demonstrates the formation and activation of a public-civil society partnership to address a specific development challenge, which aligns with the goal of promoting such collaborations.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 2: Zero Hunger	Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.	Indicator 2.1.2 (Implied): Prevalence of food insecurity. The article states, “1.4 million adults in Michigan experience the challenge of getting their families enough to eat regularly.”
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Indicator (Qualitative): The existence of a public-civil society partnership. The article states, “Focus: HOPE has partnered with the Wayne County Commission to support families.”

Source: clickondetroit.com