EXHIBITS
Hunger & Food Security: History of Hunger in the States
History of Hunger in the States
During the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s, hunger was a major problem because their farms were failing, and they couldn’t afford to buy food. This led to several different programs being put into place to help these people, like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Farm Security Administration (FSA).
The FSA began in 1933, in the midst of the depression. There were many unhappy people, due to their farm failures and money shortages. President Roosevelt decided that he was going to change that, and began the resettlement act and the Farm Security Association; both of these helped people move west, and begin a new life as a farmer over there. This began a cascade of programs, acts, etc. of beneficial help for people looking to start a farm in a new location.
These pictures show people that benefited from the FSA and other programs, and the ravages they left behind. Food insecurity and hunger began to decrease as the people put everything they had into their farming, turning a profit and making their communities become stable farming communities.
The FSA is still around today, working to support farmers and make their dreams of working on a farm a reality. They help provide loans and credit for upcoming farmers so they can afford to start their farm.
There are still programs like this one today that help many people address their food needs and start becoming food secure. There are even programs here in Cache Valley and more specifically USU campus that can also provide a way to get off the ground.