The amount that Oregon tax payers spend on feeding the homeless within homeless shelters as well as Oregon residents who are not food secure (being without access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food) is very high.
About 552,900 Oregonians are food insecure, of those 194,070 are children.
To me, that is unacceptable.
Feeding those who need it most
I would like to introduce a program to help lessen this problem.
For the first time in Oregon’s history I will be creating Oregon’s Produce Row. Strategically placed in low-income areas throughout Oregon.
This will comprise of land secured by the state (between 1-4 acres) and create a produce garden of fruit trees ( approx 200-fruit-bearing trees) and organic vegetables and berries to help feed those who are in need. A 3-acre plot of land can feed up to 2,000 households.
The financial cost to keep this going can be off-set from the money saved on feeding the homeless.
Detroit has a successful program similar to what I am proposing, Those will food insecurities are able to walk through and enjoy a fresh snack or have their dinner, at no cost to them. Excess food will be deliver to food pantries and places that need it.
Oregon should provide food assistance to anyone who needs it. Going to bed starving is close to torture. Healthy eating is the first step towards treating homelessness.
It is the compassionate thing to do. It is the right thing to do,
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