# data[].attributes.body
With over 30 years of experience in the dietetics field, Dhana has dedicated her career to guiding individuals toward disease management, prevention, and overall wellness.

At Grady's Teaching Kitchen, Dhana provides vital nutrition education and culinary medicine classes to underserved communities affected by food insecurity and chronic diet-related conditions. Her mission is to break down educational and cultural barriers, ensuring everyone can access tools for better health. Dhana fosters an inclusive and nurturing learning environment for both her patients and nutrition interns she has mentored for the past four years.

Her email address is dcblissett@GMH.EDU

# data[].attributes.headline
Empowering Through Nutrition Recording with Dhana Blissett

# data[].attributes.subject
Empowering Through Nutrition Recording with Dhana Blissett

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Food insecurity is more than missing meals; it's tied to chronic illness, trauma, and community-wide
health challenges.
 
Join us for a powerful session on how Grady Hospital's 'Food as Medicine' program is creating lasting change by combining medical care, nutrition education, and patient empowerment.
 

Understand the link between food insecurity, chronic illness, and trauma.

 

Discover how the Teaching Kitchen equips patients with the tools to plan, cook, and eat with a purpose.

 

Learn why this model works especially for patients with high ACES scores and serious health conditions.

 

How the program is helping people become advocates in their communities.

 
Don't miss the chance to see what's possible when food becomes medicine and care meets resilience.
 

# data[].attributes.body
Hands On Atlanta addresses food insecurity by mobilizing volunteers to support local food banks, meal programs, and community gardens across the city.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Meet Hands On Hunger Pantry - Stella Love

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With vision to make Atlanta the most engaged and equitable community in the world, Hands On Atlanta, mobilizes the Atlanta community to tackle our city’s most pressing needs.

# data[].attributes.body
Educate yourself via the Atlanta Food Bank's informative sessions and trainings. Be in the know!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Hunger Education - Food Insecurity Resources & Workshops

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We’re working to educate the Atlanta Community through food insecurity workshops, Hunger 101 simulations, and food bank education.

# data[].attributes.body
An excellent resource to find a Food Bank in the area you work in.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Verifying you are human. This may take a few seconds.

# data[].attributes.body
This article from the Annie E. Casey Foundation explores how child food insecurity affects millions of families and highlights the urgent need for stronger policies and community support to ensure all children have access to nutritious food.

# data[].attributes.body
Wholesome Wave Georgia connects families in need with fresh, locally grown food by doubling the value of SNAP benefits at farmers markets and other fresh food outlets across the state.

4o

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Wholesome Wave Georgia is committed to making fresh, healthy, locally grown food affordable for all Georgians and has facilitated more than $5.5 million in economic impact via spending at partner sites since 2009 by matching the value of SNAP/EBT (commonly referred to as food stamps) on fruit and vegetable purchases. That means families who spend $10 using SNAP/EBT receive $20 of locally-grown food.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wholesome Wave Fights Food Insecurity | Atlanta, Georgia

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Food Insecurity is a statewide problem that Wholesome Wave fights by providing partnerships with local farms, markets, and community healthcare organizations.

# data[].attributes.body
In an interview by Beth Galvin, Fox 5 uncovers a beacon for Metro Atlanta's community. A former McDonald's in Atlanta has been transformed into the Teaching Kitchen at Jesse Hill Market, where patients like Marcia Cole learn to manage chronic conditions through plant-based cooking classes and receive prescriptions for fresh produce, highlighting how food can serve as powerful medicine.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Former McDonald’s now home to healthy eating program

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Marcia Cole figured she would never get her weight back below 200 pounds. The, the Atlanta grandmother found a breakthrough. She’s lost 62 pounds thanks to a healthy eating program set up in a former McDonald’s restaurant near Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital.

# data[].attributes.body
A WHO short video that underlines the coexistence of nutrition and obesity. It stresses that healthy diets, especially during pregnancy and early childhood, can build stronger generations and shift the food system toward better nutrition for all.

# data[].attributes.body
This inspiring story highlights how young children across the U.S., like Dylan and Sarah, are stepping up to fight food insecurity through school food drives, weekend backpack programs, and community action, proving that no one is too young to make a difference.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Child Food Insecurity Report on NBC Nightly News: Kids Edition

# data[].attributes.body
HealthMPowers' school food pantries empower students to reduce food waste and combat food insecurity by rescuing uneaten meals and distributing them to families in need.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Kids Helping Kids: How School Food Pantries are Fighting Food Insecurity - HealthMPowers

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discover how student-led food pantries in Georgia schools are tackling food insecurity and empowering communities.

# data[].attributes.body
The University of Georgia's Campus Kitchen program empowers public health students to combat food insecurity in Athens by preparing and delivering nutritious meals to those in need, while gaining hands-on experience in community health and service.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Finding Purpose Fighting Food Insecurity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Public health undergraduate students Brynna Allen and Sydney Vance are working to reduce food insecurity in the Athens, Georgia, through internships with UGA’s Campus Kitchen.

# data[].attributes.body
The Atlanta Community Food Bank's interactive Story Map shares powerful firsthand accounts from individuals and families across Georgia, illustrating the human impact of food insecurity and the organization's efforts to combat hunger.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This story map requires JavaScript, but running JavaScript is not currently allowed by your web browser. If you wish to view this story, please enable JavaScript in this browser or try a different browser.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This story map was created with the Story Map Cascade application in ArcGIS Online.

# data[].attributes.body
The Goodr Success Stories page showcases impactful partnerships with organizations like March of Dimes, Porsche, and Agnes Scott College, highlighting collaborative efforts to combat food insecurity and reduce waste through initiatives such as Pop-Up Grocery Markets and organics recycling programs.

# data[].attributes.body
In this brief video, Dr. Kim Sage discusses how reparenting techniques and mindful eating can aid in healing from complex trauma.

Sources

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Reparenting & food❤️ #drkimsage #cptsd #trauma #reparenting

# data[].attributes.body
This podcast series aims to highlight the science, psychology, and strategies behind the practice of dietetics.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this podcast, Lisa Jones, MA, RDN, LDN, FAND, interviews Julie Feldman, MPH, RDN, about the most common eating disorders, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and common misconceptions about eating disorders.

# data[].attributes.body
Seth Gillihan, in a Psychology Today article, discussed how improving gut health and nutrition may support emotional recovery from trauma by reducing inflammation and enhancing brain function.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
This post is the first of a two-part series. The second is here: How to Make Friends With Your Body After Trauma.
I've worked with trauma survivors throughout my career as a therapist, and I don't think I've ever recommended that they change their diet as part of treatment. But my recent discussion with trauma specialist and psychiatrist James Gordon, author of The Transformation, has made me rethink the role of nutrition in healing from trauma.

The mental health field (myself included) generally has been slow to recognize the role that nutrition can play in mental health. However, recent studies have begun to change commonly-held beliefs. For example, research has shown that diet can play a significant role in treating depression (e.g., the SMILES trial and the HELFIMED study). Other studies have found that nutritional supplements can significantly reduce anxiety, depression, and post- traumatic stress symptoms following major traumatic events.

Trauma and Nutrition

Nutrition may be particularly important after a traumatic experience because our bodies have greater nutritional needs as we heal. (See this discussion with Julia Rucklidge, who has done pioneering research into the effects of nutritional supplements on mental health following trauma.)

Traumatic experiences can also have direct gastrointestinal effects. "We know that trauma does significant damage to every part of our digestive system," said Gordon. "For example, it damages the villi-the little projections from the cells that line the small intestine-which absorb the nutrients we need for every cell in our bodies."

Trauma can lead to a condition known as "leaky gut," in which "the cells lining the small intestine separate, and through those passageways, proteins leak into the bloodstream that don't belong there," explained Gordon. "For example, when the gut becomes 'leaky' gluten and milk proteins can go into the bloodstream and cause inflammatory reactions everywhere in the body, including the brain."

Gordon also noted that trauma "damages and disrupts the microbiome-the trillions of bacteria in the intestines" that are essential for gut health. The microbiome is an integral part of our immune system and produces many of the neurotransmitters we rely on; post-traumatic changes to the microbiome may account for the greater risk for physical health problems after trauma.

How Trauma Affects Our Food Choices

Gordon emphasized the powerful effects of food on not only our physical health but our mental and emotional well-being-effects he first noticed on a personal level. "As I started looking at the science that's come out and what happens when we're traumatized," he said, "it all fell into place. When we're traumatized, we either don't want to eat anything, or we start eating comfort food: sugary, fatty, salty foods, Big Macs, mac-and-cheese, soda pop, ice cream."

It makes sense that we're drawn to those kinds of foods. "They are comfort foods," said Gordon, because they increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that are tied to a sense of well-being, like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. "And they actually suppress traumatic memories to some degree," he continued.

The problem, as with the physical effects of unhealthful foods, is that they wind up being a net negative. "The short-term gain is swiftly eclipsed by the long-term downside," Dr. Gordon explained. "Serotonin starts to go down, dopamine goes down, endorphins go down-and cortisol [one of the primary stress hormones] goes up, and the memories start returning."

Feeling poorly and being haunted by traumatic memories can lead to an even greater reliance on unhelpful food choices, and a vicious cycle ensues. "We keep eating more and more of these foods, and it doesn't work."

Recommendations

An entire chapter of The Transformation details Gordon's comprehensive approach to digestive health when healing from trauma. Specific recommendations include:

1. Prioritize healthful foods. "We need to eat a diet that's going to be less damaging to the gut-more whole foods, organic foods, omega-3 fatty acids (which are in fish)," Gordon said. He recommended a balanced approach to making dietary changes, "not in a rigid way but in a healthy direction."

2. Limit inflammatory foods. Highly refined foods, processed sugars, and certain food groups have been liked to inflammation, which affects mental health. "I suggest people stop eating foods with gluten and milk protein for a month or two, said Gordon, "to let the gut heal itself." Reducing the intake of highly processed foods can also be beneficial.

3. Take supplementary vitamins and minerals. See this interview with Julia Rucklidge, which includes details about a supplement that was used successfully to diminish trauma reactions in multiple research studies.

4. Replenish healthy gut bacteria. "We need to add probiotics to make up for the disrupted microbiome," said Gordon. Probiotics can be taken in supplement form, and are also present in fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha.

5. Reduce stress. Healthy digestion also comes from engaging the parasympathetic nervous system-aptly called the "rest and digest" system for its role in digestion and relaxation. "We need to use the techniques of stress reduction so we're not adding more stress to our guts," said Gordon. In particular, he recommended the Soft Belly breathing practice. (See this link for a guided version led by Gordon.)

The full conversation with James Gordon is available here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Can the Right Diet Help You Heal From Trauma?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gut health may be an important factor in recovering from a traumatic experience.

# data[].attributes.body
This article by Fara Murata explores how consistent, protein-rich meals and a safe eating environment can help traumatized children regulate emotions and reduce behavioral challenges.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Feeding Good Behavior in Traumatized Children - Fara Murata

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
When foster children enter your home they need your family’s love and acceptance while they are with you. These children have experienced some kind of trauma and depend on you to help them deal with their future. They need nurturing, limits, rules, warmth, respect, and understanding. They also need your guidance in making healthy food

# data[].attributes.body
The Medium article "How Nutrition Can Aid In Childhood Trauma Recovery" by Gina-Marie Cheeseman explains how anti-inflammatory foods can support emotional healing in children recovering from trauma by reducing stress-related inflammation.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How Nutrition Can Aid In Childhood Trauma Recovery

# data[].attributes.body
Jess Sherman, from Raising Resilient Kids, explores how trauma-informed nutrition programs can support healing and resilience in families facing food insecurity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Why Food Matters To Your Child's Resilience - with Jess Sherman

# data[].attributes.body
In this short video, Dr. Matheson explains how proper nutrition supports trauma recovery by helping the brain produce key neurotransmitters like GABA, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, all essential for managing stress and building resilience.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Scientific Nutrition to Support Trauma Resilience

# data[].attributes.body
Blue Cross Blue Shield explores how food insecurity across the United States and the implications on health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What is food insecurity and why is it a problem?

# data[].attributes.body
The Atlanta Community Food Bank partners with over 600 nonprofits to distribute more than 60 million meals annually to individuals and families across 29 counties in metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We work with more than 600 nonprofit partners to distribute over 60 million meals to more than 755,000 people in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia.

# data[].attributes.body
Findhelp.org is a free, nationwide platform that connects individuals to local resources like food, housing, healthcare, and financial assistance; just enter your ZIP code to find help near families that most need it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more.
Help starts here.

34,622,305 people use it (and growing daily)

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, chat with them online via their website, or text HOME to 741741 (multiple languages available). If this is an emergency, call 911.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
findhelp.org by findhelp - Search and Connect to Social Care

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Search and connect to support. Find financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, and other free or reduced-cost help in your area, anywhere in the US.

# data[].attributes.body
StreetWise Georgia is a nonprofit in Lawrenceville that supports families in crisis with food, clothing, hygiene items, and life-skills training to help them move from dependency to self-sufficiency.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Streetwise Georgia | Loving people. Meeting needs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
StreetWise Georgia offers the necessary physical, emotional, mental and spiritual tools to help people move from dependency to well-being and self-sufficiency.

# data[].attributes.body
This video provides an overview of the Atlanta Community Food Bank's efforts to combat hunger by partnering with over 700 nonprofit organizations to distribute food and resources across Georgia.

https://www.acfb.org/ (website)

# data[].attributes.body
Based in Georgia, Quality Care for Children empowers Georgia's families and child care providers with resources and support to ensure every child has access to high-quality early learning and care.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
" QCC believes that all children, regardless of race, gender, or economic background, deserve high-quality early learning experiences. Creating an environment for quality care is no easy task: child care is expensive, providers are poorly paid, and parents, faced with an urgent need for child care, often have limited choices. Partnering with leading child care experts and organizations since 1979, QCC overcomes these challenges by providing best practices and invaluable training and support to child care programs in Georgia, as well as guidance and referrals to parents seeking care."

- Pam Tatum, President & CEO

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For nearly 40 years, Quality Care for Children has worked to ensure Georgia's young children reach their full potential by improving the quality of child care and helping parents access high-quality care.

# data[].attributes.body
11 Alive News highlights the many young children in Georgia who are missing key nutrients. Still, early learning centers are stepping up with fun, engaging mealtimes and support from programs that promote healthy eating and cover food costs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
More than half of kids in Georgia don't eat vegetables daily:  How one organization helps expose kid

# data[].attributes.body
This CBS2 News segment highlights how food insecurity in children often starts with silent signs at home, leading to poor nutrition, toxic stress, and long-term impacts on brain development, learning, and overall health.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How food insecurity affects children and their health

# data[].attributes.body
This resource from Families Rising highlights how healing the trauma and anxiety around food is key to helping children learn to eat various foods in ways and amounts that support health and well-being.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Healing from Food Insecurity: Beyond the Stash - Families Rising

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
by Katja Rowell, M.D. © 2020, with reviewer and adviser [...]

# data[].attributes.body
This NIH study explores how food insecurity and trauma are passed down through generations, based on interviews with mothers, revealing patterns of violence, emotional struggles, and the desire to break the cycle.

Chilton M, Knowles M, Bloom SL. The Intergenerational Circumstances of Household Food Insecurity and Adversity. J Hunger Environ Nutr. 2017 Apr 3;12(2):269-297. doi: 10.1080/19320248.2016.1146195. Epub 2016 May 4. PMID: 28503244; PMCID: PMC5399810.

# data[].attributes.body
A deeper dive into NIH’s study reveals how food insecurity and eating disorders, both serious nutrition-related public health concerns, are linked to traumatic experiences in low-income, marginalized communities. The study also explores how trauma relates to anxiety and weight stigma.

# data[].attributes.body
This article from Carolina Farm Trust explores how food insecurity can cause deep emotional wounds known as food trauma, leading to anxiety, shame, and disordered eating, especially in children and families.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
When we think of food insecurity, the immediate image that comes to mind is physical hunger-the gnawing emptiness of an empty stomach. However, the repercussions of not having consistent access to adequate food extend far beyond physical discomfort. Food insecurity can inflict deep psychological wounds, leading to what experts term "food trauma."

Defining Food Trauma

Food trauma refers to the psychological distress and adverse emotional responses resulting from experiences related to food scarcity, forced eating, or other negative food-related events. Individuals who have faced prolonged periods of hunger or uncertainty about their next meal often develop anxieties and fears surrounding food. This trauma can manifest as heightened stress, anxiety, depression, and even disordered eating patterns.

A report by the Adur & Worthing Food Network highlights that individuals experiencing food insecurity often endure feelings of shame, guilt, and humiliation. These emotions stem from the inability to provide for oneself or one's family, leading to a diminished sense of self-worth and identity.

The Psychological Toll of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity affects 15.7% of households with children in the US. The constant uncertainty of not knowing when or where the next meal will come from creates a pervasive sense of anxiety. This chronic stress can lead to mental health challenges, including depression and, in severe cases, suicidal thoughts. Parents, in particular, may experience profound guilt and feelings of failure when unable to adequately feed their children, further exacerbating their psychological distress.

Research indicates that children who grow up in food-insecure environments are more likely to experience developmental challenges , both physically and emotionally. The trauma associated with hunger during formative years can have lasting impacts, affecting their relationship with food and their overall mental health into adulthood.

Manifestations of Food Trauma

Individuals suffering from food trauma may exhibit various symptoms, including:

Heightened Anxiety Around Food: Constant worry about food availability or the quality of food consumed.

Disordered Eating Patterns: Behaviors such as binge eating when food is available or restricting intake due to fear of future scarcity.

Emotional Distress: Feelings of shame, guilt, or unworthiness related to one's inability to secure sufficient food.

Social Withdrawal: Avoidance of social situations involving food due to embarrassment or fear of judgment.

These manifestations not only affect individual well-being but can also strain relationships and hinder one's ability to function effectively in daily life.

Addressing Food Trauma: A Path Forward

Recognizing food trauma as a significant consequence of food insecurity is the first step toward healing. Community organizations and support networks play a crucial role in this process.

At Carolina Farm Trust, we are committed to not only addressing the physical needs of those experiencing food insecurity but also the psychological impacts. By providing consistent access to fresh, locally sourced food, we aim to alleviate the anxieties associated with food scarcity.

Moreover, fostering a sense of dignity and respect in food assistance programs is essential. Creating environments where individuals feel valued and understood can mitigate feelings of shame and humiliation. Implementing trauma-informed care approaches ensures that support services are sensitive to the emotional needs of those they serve.

Community education is also vital. Raising awareness about the psychological impacts of food insecurity can lead to more compassionate responses and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help.

Food insecurity is not merely a matter of empty stomachs; it leaves lasting scars on the minds and hearts of those affected. By understanding and addressing food trauma, we can take comprehensive steps toward healing individuals and strengthening our communities.

Your support is instrumental in this mission. Together, we can provide nourishment for both the body and the soul.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Hidden Wounds of Hunger: Understanding Food Trauma Amidst Food Insecurity

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Food insecurity can lead to food trauma, affecting mental health and well-being. Learn about its causes, impacts, and ways to foster healing.

# data[].attributes.body
An interesting research article by Drexel University reflects that children who experience more trauma at home are much more likely to face hunger, showing how deeply stress and food insecurity are connected.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
November 2019

The Issue

When children are exposed to very challenging experiences, their health suffers. In our recent study, "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Household Food Insecurity: Findings from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health," we found that across the U.S., families reporting Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as domestic violence, neighborhood violence, and family substance abuse, were much more likely to experience household food insecurity.

Food insecurity has a number of negative health consequences such as poor child development, higher hospitalizations, and behavioral health problems. This strong association between exposure to adversity and household food insecurity suggests that the U.S. has a serious crisis in child health. Experts on ACEs and food insecurity have linked the experience of both as a form of brain injury. The solutions to this crisis should integrate approaches that address both exposure to violence and discrimination as well as more financial resources so that families can afford food.

Key Terms and Definitions

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur before the age of 18 that have been linked to risky health behaviors, chronic health conditions, low life potential, and early death.

Primary caregivers were asked, "To the best of your knowledge, has this child ever experienced any of the following?"

Divorce

Incarcerated Parent

Domestic Violence

Neighborhood Violence

Family Mental Illness

Family Addiction

Discrimination

Household Food Insecurity

Household Food Insecurity, or lack of access to enough food for an active and healthy life, was measured during the 12 months prior to the survey. Household food insecurity was determined to be moderate-to-severe when families reported that they could sometimes or often not afford enough to eat. Conversely, families were designated as food secure when they reported always having enough to eat and not having to rely on low cost foods.

Our Research

The study focused on over 50,000 children and their families who participated in the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. Participants reside in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, making up a nationally representative cross-section of the U.S. population. Parents and caregivers were asked about children's exposure to ACEs and the food security status of their household. The study explored the impact of both specific ACEs and exposure to three or more ACEs on household food insecurity.

What We Found

Upon investigating each individual form of adversity, it became clear that ACEs were much more common in food insecure homes than food-secure homes. Just one out of every 25 children in food-secure homes were exposed to three or more ACEs. In food-insecure homes that rose to one in every four children.

Conclusions

Based on the research, it is clear that hardship in terms of exposure to violence, discrimination, and incarceration are strongly connected to food insecurity. Investigations into the effectiveness of known solutions for both ACEs and food insecurity are of the utmost importance and cannot be overlooked. America's children are growing fast. They and their families need our undivided attention and support.

Recommendations

This study unequivocally links ACEs and household food insecurity. Our results suggest urgency in implementing solutions to treat children and families who have already been harmed and prevent families from experiencing this double hardship in the future. What links both ACEs and food insecurity together is the experience of trauma. Trauma is a normal response to overwhelming stress caused by violence or deprivation. It can result in physical and mental illness as well as a variety of behaviors that would be considered problematic. There are many ways to treat and prevent trauma in order to build resilience, promote flourishing, and improve somatic integration.

Treatment

When a parent or caregiver reports that a child is experiencing ACEs and they do not have enough money for food, this is an indication the family needs immediate and sustained support. This support should include:

Trauma-informed and Healing-centered Care
Trauma informed care is a coordination of physical and mental health care, as well as public education, that seeks to prevent activating trauma symptoms and creates an environment of empowerment rather than punitive approach to behavior and actions. Healing-centered care focuses on opportunities to develop resilience, flourishing, and integration through building social connection, dramatic therapy, and other restorative healing practices.

Financial Support
Economic support can be provided through public assistance, such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, or by supplementing existing supports.

Social Support
Most families who struggle with household food insecurity and ACEs experience social and economic isolation. Evidence shows that peer support programming, specifically trauma informed, can reduce economic insecurity, food insecurity, and depression associated with trauma.

Immediate Access to Food
Grocery store gift cards or healthy grocery supplements can be provided. This may alleviate family tension and nutritional struggle. However, this is only a temporary fix. It should be used in tandem with longer lasting approaches to help families have more sustained support.

Prevention

What's most upsetting about the results of this study is that both ACEs and food insecurity are preventable. Adversity can be prevented in the following ways:

Utilize Two Generation Approaches
Expand access to family support that takes into account two generation approaches. Two generation approaches support parent(s) and children simultaneously. Such approaches address mental health and economic stability of caregivers along with the health and development of children. This includes access to universal child care, preschool, and kindergarten. Investment in early learning and support helps promote child development and wellbeing, while supporting the careers and workforce engagement of parents so they can earn an income.

Invest in Restorative/Reparative Justice
The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world. This is harming America's children and families. Policymakers should invest in alternatives to prison and utilize more trauma-informed approaches, such as restorative justice, that work with people in community to repair the harm caused and ensure that those most affected by crime can participate in its resolution. Transformative justice is in active use today to help perpetrators and victims of sexual and gender-based violence focus on changing conditions that perpetuate abuse. Doing this demands that communities focus on "liberation," which ensures safety, connection, and dignity for all and allowing every individual to exercise agency. This demands a shift in power from "power over" to "power together."

Provide Access to Comprehensive Health Care
Provide free comprehensive health care that includes mental and physical health supports for children and parents.

Raise Wages and Ensure Work Supports
Ensure families can make enough wages to meet their basic needs, such as housing, food, shelter, and other necessities. Additionally, families should be able to access family-centered work supports such as paid sick leave, family leave, and health insurance.

Increase Care and Compassion for the Family
Invest in promoting respect, care, and concern for each other-where children and adults can practice respect for all expressions of gender, race, ethnicity, age, and economic backgrounds.

Transform Policy Making
Policies should become more trauma-informed. This type of policy making is rooted in values that promote physical and emotional safety, prevent further trauma from occurring, maintain transparency in policies and procedures in order to build trust among stakeholders, collaborate with recipients of services and care, share power with families that need support so they have a strong voice in decision making, and ensure that they are always supportive of people's intersecting identities by avoiding oppression of any individual or group.

For more information about this study, please see the following article: Adverse Childhood Experiences and Household Food Insecurity: Findings From the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health. American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2019)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Household Food Insecurity - Center for Hunger Free Communities

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
November 2019 When children are exposed to very challenging experiences, their health suffers. In our recent study, "Adverse Childhood Experiences and Household Food Insecurity: Findings from the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health," we found that across the U.S., families reporting Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), such as domestic violence, neighborhood violence, and family substance abuse, were much more likely to experience household food insecurity.

# data[].attributes.body
Grady Health System's Food as Medicine program, in collaboration with the Atlanta Community Food Bank and Open Hand Atlanta, addresses chronic disease and food insecurity by providing patients with fresh produce, nutrition education, and cooking classes to promote healthier lifestyles and improved health outcomes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Verifying you are human. This may take a few seconds.