1 in 7 U.S. children lives in a household that struggles with food insecurity.

That means millions of families lack consistent access to the amount of nutritious food their children need to grow, learn, and thrive.

As a pediatrician, I know all too well how true these statistics are. I’m uniquely placed to address food insecurity in America—to spot its symptoms, to treat its effects, and to refer families to resources that can help them move forward.

But ending childhood hunger isn’t something I can do alone — it’s a challenge much bigger than any one person. Solving it requires action at every level, from pediatricians and lawmakers to community leaders and neighbors like you and me.

In this post, we’ll explore the realities of food insecurity and food deserts, and share practical ways we can all help. Let’s dive in and learn together this Giving Tuesday—to make children’s plates as full as our hearts.

Want to know more? Check out our story and our products. 

My years as a pediatrician showed me just how real food deserts are—and how deeply they affect children’s health and development.

What is a food desert? In short, these areas do not have access to affordable nutrition. Parents try their best to feed their kids well, but it’s just not possible when gas stations and corner stores are their only establishments.

In food deserts, ultra-processed foods are the norm. They’re cheap, they’re filling, and they're easy to find. But feeding children these foods also causes obesity, early puberty, and type 2 diabetes. They can cause kids to be hungry and overweight at the same time. 

I cared for children facing each of these challenges, but treatments alone weren’t enough. What they needed most was access to real, healthy food.

I realized that telling families to “eat healthy” wasn’t enough. If healthy food isn’t accessible or affordable, advice doesn’t change lives — access does.

These kids changed how I practice medicine — and inspired me to start Ahimsa (but we’ll touch base on that later on).

Support starts at the top and filters down. We can—and should—make an impact in our own communities, but we also need to stand behind programs that feed children on a larger scale. Here are two government programs that make a huge impact on childhood hunger today:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—SNAP benefits for families provide grocery money to buy healthy and filling foods.

• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)—NSLP provides free, nutrient-dense lunches for students at school—often their only reliable meal each day.

Nutritious food leads to better focus, healthier bodies, and brighter futures. Government aid opens the door, but it's on us to hold it open. Part of our duty is to speak out when programs like these are challenged, so children can continue to benefit from them for years to come.

This Thanksgiving season, instead of simply reflecting on your gratitude, join the Giving Tuesday movement and take action. Do what you can to fight food insecurity in your own neighborhood. Here are a few meaningful ways to begin:

1. Support local food shelves and community hunger programs.

• Sign up for volunteer shifts at local food foundations

• Set up a recurring monthly donation

• Organize a neighborhood or workplace food drive

• Share the organization’s posts, events, and needs on social media

• Ask the organization what its highest-priority needs are right now
  

2. Advocate for expanded SNAP and universal school meals.

• Call or email your local, state, and federal representatives
• Use your representatives’ contact forms
• Sign or circulate petitions

3. Shop with purpose.

• Choose brands with clear social-impact commitments
• Look for certifications (Fair Trade, B Corp, Organic, Non-GMO)

• Buy from companies that publicly support food equity initiatives

• Prioritize products with transparent sourcing

When we come together to fight hunger, we help ensure children are nourished not only in our own communities but across the globe.

Ahimsa isn’t just safer dishware. It’s a way to make mealtime healthier, more equitable, and more meaningful for every child. 

Our stainless steel dishware has long been a favorite among sustainable, health-conscious parents. But kids don’t only eat at home — their school meals matter just as much. That’s why the Ahimsa School Line brings this mission into cafeterias. With reusable stainless steel trays, bowls, cups, and utensils designed to replace single-use plastics, Ahimsa is creating safer, cleaner, and more sustainable school cafeterias.

We believe every child—no matter their ZIP code—deserves access to safe, dignified mealtime experiences. 

After all, at Ahimsa, every child matters, and every meal counts.

Did you know stainless steel dishware is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics? 

Ahimsa is a pediatrician-founded brand that creates dishware and school lunchware with only the best materials. We strive to make mealtime not only beautiful, but also safe and sustainable. 

And we don’t stop there. Our mission is about meeting every child where they eat — at home, at school, and in the community. We understand firsthand that health starts with access.

No child should be sick because of the food they eat — or the lack of it.

This Giving Tuesday, let’s work together to fill more plates and fewer landfills. Choose one action from this article to do today, and make it count. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “In a gentle way, we can shake the world.” Let’s do it — one meal, one child, one community at a time.