Oakland has many neighborhoods where social action has improved food access, in West Oakland in particular. But many people continue to live in areas that qualify as food deserts, where there are no outlets to purchase healthy food within walking distance.

Less work means more hunger. Oakland's nearly 17% unemployment rate (close to twice the national rate) means that in our city, right now, many people don't have enough to eat. And in outlying towns like Fremont and Hayward, the problem is even more severe.

Recently the USDA reported that in 2008 nearly 15 million US households were “food insecure” -- which means a member of the household did not have access to adequate and nutritious food at some point during the year. The number of people seeking free food from American food banks and food pantries is the highest recorded since USDA began collecting this information in 1995.

What does increasing hunger look like in Oakland?