Akirah Johnson

During my community service at the Capital Area Food Bank, I was able to connect my work and what I’ve been learning. I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of biology in combating food insecurity. Food insecurity refers to the state of not knowing where or when your next meal will come and it greatly affects people in the DMV, especially vulnerable populations like the elderly. I got the opportunity to work in the warehouse, demonstration garden, and the DC location for the marketplace. In the food bank’s warehouse, we packaged non perishable food to provide healthy meals to those who may not have access to local markets that take place in different locations every Saturday.
The food bank also runs the demonstration garden where the community learns how to grow their own produce in untraditional ways. Instead of growing out of the ground, pots, raised gardens, and some aspects of vertical gardening empower people to sustain themselves. My shift’s assignment was to harvest produce that would later be sent to a home for elders. Once the harvesting was done, we pulled weeds and cut unwanted vines from the fence to transform that side of the garden, maximizing the amount of sunlight and necessary resources for what was planted.
At the DC market, fresh food such as turkey, corn, watermelon, green bell peppers, and collard greens were distributed to families. This is important not only for nutrition but also from a biological standpoint–fresh, organic food offers maximum health benefits at the molecular level. When people would come down the line, we’d give them a smile, kind greeting, and hand them what was on our table. At the time I didn’t realize what biology had to do with any of this, then, after doing research and paying attention, I was able to put it together. For example, the turkey was a source of protein. Protein gets broken down into amino acids that are mostly used for building and repairing tissues but they also make enzymes and hormones, and support immune functions. Protein can also be used as a source of energy, it’s not the body’s first choice, but when there isn’t enough carbohydrates or lipids, protein will get broken down into amino acids and converted into glucose and use that for energy. The fruits and vegetables provided also offer essential vitamins and minerals that support the body’s overall health. They boost immune function, promote digestive health, regulate blood sugar and weight, and even support cardio and cognitive functions.
Biology provides essential tools and knowledge to combat food insecurity. From improving crop harvests to creating sustainable farming methods and addressing malnutrition, biological research is at the heart of building a more food- secure environment.These experiences have deepened my understanding of how biology connects to real-world solutions for improving community health and addressing food insecurity.