Food insecurity is a problem more than often people will come across. Growing up in a huge household, my mom worked her butt off to make sure we were cared for and always taught me to be empathetic towards the kids in school who would have to skip lunch. Food has become such an abused thing over time that there are many kids who have too much anxiety to even eat publicly, aren’t exposed to healthy eating due to the raging prices of it, and have turned from eating often due to not having a healthy relationship with food overall.

Entering into college with these habits pushed many into even worse habits than before. We’re paying such high prices to not even be given healthy food … it pushed many to use their limited money on take-out, to-go salads, or microwavable groceries. With these unhealthy diets being enforced, it pushes many students into skipping meals … draining us of needed energy we need to not only keep our bodies operating but our minds as well. We're in a rush to maintain good standing as students; The last thing we want/have time to worry about is what our next meal will be, how will we find the money to afford it, and how much longer till we finally crash.

This is why MASSPIRG Students is having a lobby day on March 27 at the Boston State Capitol to ask the state government for $4 million to help public colleges fund things like SNAP benefits and food pantries so their students do not go hungry. Last year we won $1 million dollars! Call your legislators about the Hunger-Free Campus Initiative to help us! Sign petitions, and eagerly educate yourself about this problem and the next steps to overcome it. With everyone’s help, I believe we can progress in a better direction!

Brittany Ramos

Amherst