RETAILOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2019
64
I
nvesting in your community is a great way to give back to those
who've supported your business over the years. Volunteer
groups and non-profit organizations everywhere are helping
our communities become better places for all – but they can't do
it alone. They need help from businesses like ours to support
food pantries, community gardens, and many other initiatives.
In the U.S. today, more than 40 million Americans are living
with food insecurities. Hunger and food insecurity are closely
related but distinct issues. Hunger refers to the physical
sensation of not having enough to eat, while food insecurity
refers to a chronic lack of financial resources to buy food.
Issues such as affordable housing, social isolation,
unemployment, underemployment and food insecurity are
important limiters of a community's overall health. In most
communities, many folks are living without reliable access to
sufficient, affordable, nutritious food for themselves and their
families. It's well known that a diet of nutrient-rich fresh fruits
and vegetables helps reduce obesity and chronic illnesses in
children and adults, especially senior citizens. But many who
live on limited budgets can no longer afford today's prices. (The
average price of tomatoes today is $1.59 per lb.)
Local food pantries and other organizations that provide food
to those in need are seeing an increase in requests and a
decrease in donations. Access to affordable, nutritious foods is
becoming a massive issue in America.
Family health coalitions are working together with food banks
to establish free, sustainable community gardens in parks and
public lands all over the country, to help supply the food banks
and pantries. Individuals in urban areas can sometimes lease
raised beds to offset their budget and eat healthy.
How can you give back? You might consider joining or helping
start a community garden at your local place of worship, on your
local school grounds, or in town and county parks. There's
nothing quite as satisfying as growing your own fresh vegetables
and sharing your harvest with those in need. It's a welcome
change of pace to spend time outdoors, working with your
neighbors for the worthy common cause of feeding your
community.
If it sounds like a lot of work, it is, but it yields tremendous
rewards. As small business owners we have a responsibility to
help keep our communities strong and healthy. Your efforts will
not go unnoticed by your neighbors, who'll
probably think of you and your company when
they're deciding where to buy.
GIVING BACK TO YOUR COMMUNITY
IS GOOD BUSINESS
S E R V I C E D E P A R T M E N T
RO
Ralph Wolff, Industry Relations, PSA
Certified Service Center
www.certifiedservicecenter.org
