申論題

I. Precis
Instructions: For each of the following two articles:   (1)   Write a short title for each.   (2)  
Summarize each article in no more than 200 words.
Use your own words to express the main idea and relevant details, and keep the general writing
style of the original. Avoid using the same language and sentence structure. No points will be
given for sentences copied from the original text. Do not list points; your summary should read
like a coherent short article.

Article 2:
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated food insecurity and disrupted food systems and food
supply chains in developed and developing countries alike. In the United States, millions of
Americans struggle to put food on the table. Around the world, according to the United
Nations, over 270 million are hungry, and this is expected to continue to increase.
As a brand new year begins, I can't help but think what must be done to mitigate these worrying
trend?
First and foremost, there should be continued monitoring of the food insecurity statistics. Real
time data to know where food insecurity is highest, and interventions are needed the most should
continue to be collected by agencies like United States Department of Agriculture Food and
Nutrition Service, Feeding America, United Nations World Food Program.
Moreover, collecting real time data and using data intelligence to tackle food insecurity can be
extended to cover the entire agricultural food chain-from production, distribution, processing,
supply and consumption.
As an example, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future has real time mapping platform that
shows production, distribution, processing and consumption within Maryland's food system via
its Maryland Food System Map Project. Around the world, the United Nations World Food
Program continues to track and monitor hunger and food insecurity through its real
timc HungerMap.
In the end, this kind of real time collected data should be used to identify gaps. In addition,
insights obtained should be used to inform decision makers in country govemments, nonprofit
institutions, food banks and other people responsible for designing programs and policies to
address food insecurity in 2021 and beyond. In the long-term, data obtained from real time
mapping of food insccurity can be used to distribute food more equitably and reliably.
Accompanying data and on the ground reality should be the continuation of actions that have
proven to be critical in 2020 in efTorts to address hunger. Throughout 2020, Feeding America and
many foodbanks and food pantries have stepped up to the challenge of feeding everyday people.
It is important that they are restocked and the people working there enumerated well. Restocking
foodbanks can be achieved through govemnment funding and donations by businesses and
individuals who are in a position to do so.
Among the strategies that proved important in 2020 were home and community gardens. These
gardens flourished for the best part of the year across many states, with many people venturing
into planting their own gardens. In 2021 and beyond, citizens who want to garden come spring
should be encouraged and supported with resources and knowiedge about how to successfully
grow the crops they choose to.
Luckily, many states have Land-Grant Universities such as the University of Illinois at Urbana
Champaign and Purdue University that can assist through the Cooperative Extension Service. As
such, Universities should find ways to unpack uscful and guiding knowledge in formats that can
casily be used by citizens as they look to start gardening.
Consistently, throughout the pandemic, many citizens relied on local food solutions and their local
farmers and producers to meet their food needs. Moving on in 2021, everyday people should
continue to think locally whenever possible.
Of course, thinking locally when it comes to meeting food insecurity may not always be possible,
cspecially with food deserts in many under-resourced areas and with usually higher prices at
farmers markets.
Finally, there is room for more innovative solutions such as food dispensing ATM machines, food
finding and food redistribution apps, and as such, we should continue to look for solutions from
food security experts and everyday people that are facing food insecurity challenge
and highlight those that are making an impact.
Tackling food insecurity will continue to need all of us to step up. Every action, every strategy
counts.
(Condensed from an article by Esther Ngumbi. IPS. Jan. 13. 2021)