Anina Estrem (she/her) is an experienced food justice advocate bringing stories, best practices, and innovation to the fight against hunger. She has spent over a decade increasing access to healthy foods for diverse communities with a specialization in (and passion for) food banking. Her ultimate goal is to make food fun- but knows this can’t be achieved until everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.
Hunger rates are going up, and the need for emergency food assistance programs is skyrocketing. At the same time, many people experiencing hunger remain reluctant to use these services because of the shame and stigma that are attached to using food banks and food pantries. What opportunities are there to improve this experience, and our community food security?
When we change how we think about hunger, we open up a world of new possibilities for fighting it.
Whether you are an experienced social justice fighter, an overwhelmed anti-hunger advocate, or are just looking to learn a little more about hunger, I hope that this site provides you with inspiration for how food pantries can implement the revolutionary concept that everyone deserves to eat.
Want to learn more about food justice? Subscribe so you never miss a post! Look for one email in your inbox every Monday morning.
Latest Blog
You Can’t Solve Hunger With Grocery Stores
In 2011, I moved from Oregon to a rural, isolated region in eastern Montana. My AmeriCorps position was tasked with helping build a school garden in a neighboring town and to explore the possibility of developing a cooperatively run grocery store in the community next door. Both these tiny towns had high poverty and hunger…
Why is College Hunger a Joke?
Eating nothing but ramen is often considered a rite of passage for college students. Young adults heading off to school are gifted care packages stuffed with ramen in various flavors, and are taught to expect that these cheap, nutritionally bereft meals are the responsible way to survive a tight budget. Poor nutrition and limited meals…
Do Food Pantry Clients Deserve to Make Their Own Choices?
“Is it okay if I take two cans of beans today?” a food pantry shopper asked me recently as I was volunteering at one of my favorite local food pantries. “You can actually take as many as you like- this whole room is unlimited,” I was happy to respond. The shopper’s eyes grew big, and…
Want to learn more about food justice? Subscribe so you never miss a post! Look for one email in your inbox every Monday morning.
The opinions expressed here are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer.
Reintroducing justice and dignity to the fight to end hunger 
Love it!! And YOU
LikeLike
Thank you, Bri!
LikeLike