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.
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Latest Blog
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…
Why You Oppose Giving People Too Much Free Food
I once worked with a food pantry leader who liked to prowl their pantry taking photos of the full shopping carts of clients. They used these photos to advocate for limiting how much food their visitors were allowed to take, adamant that no one really needed that much. Why did they believe people were taking…
Why Food Banks Can’t End Hunger
When people don’t have enough to eat, giving them food can seem like a good solution. However, hunger isn’t that simple. Food isn’t enough. Providing people with emergency food is an essential responsibility. People need food to live and to thrive, so the importance of services provided by food banks cannot be overstated. However, giving…
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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
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Thank you, Bri!
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