How Reckless Food Denials Lead to Unnecessary Suffering

Following Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, the nation experienced a temporary reprieve from many challenges that have resurfaced during Trump's second term. Throughout Trump's first administration (2017–2021), the U.S. repeatedly opposed U.N. resolutions affirming the right to food as a legal human right, often aligning with Israel as the sole dissident votes. Officials from the Trump administration emphasized their recognition of hunger's severity but rejected the notion of a "right to food" under international law. This stance has led to continued suffering at home and abroad, notably with 319 million individuals facing starvation in regions like Gaza and Sudan. Recently, the State Department disposed of 500 metric tons of expired emergency food, raising concerns over potential assistance. Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may exacerbate rural food insecurity, impacting local economies, as illustrated by St. Johns, Arizona, which depends heavily on its solitary grocery store.