Hunger on the ballot: What Donice Smith stands for

Question 1

More than a million Oregonians, from every single county in the state, accessed food assistance through the Oregon Food Bank Network in 2021. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more than 702,000 Oregonians have participated in the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP, sometimes referred to as “food stamps”). What are the responsibilities of the Governor to ensure that our communities have consistent access to nutritious, culturally-appropriate food?

Answer

The responsibilities of the governor are to ensure that the Nutrition programs are easily accessible to all people, regardless of if they live in urban or rural areas, with limited Transportation. The SNAP program staff, should be trained to be respectful of Cultural Traditions of how certain foods may not be appropriate regarding cultural or religious diversity/belief systems. Example; some do not believe in consuming pork of any kind.

Question 2

Community members who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color face significantly higher rates of poverty and food insecurity than White Oregonians.

1. What role, if any, do you believe systemic racism plays in causing hunger?

2. What policies and programs would you support to reduce poverty and food insecurity in these communities?

Answer

1. I do not believe that there is systemic racism in causing hunger. White populations have economic and social challenges as well. I believe that the SNAP Program does not discriminate when it comes to qualifying one for SNAP programs.
2. I would support having better run school K-12 lunch programs that are not providing junk like pizza and hotdogs to our kids. There should be no junk food sold on school campus. Health begins with food intake.
   
   Children should not go to school hungry or go home knowing that they had only two meals a day at school and nothing at home. Programs should be in place to help parents shop smarter, and policies in place to assure the Snap program is not being abused. Working with Food banks and whole sale food centers should be provided for people to purchase at cost that is in line with their income or proven situation.

Question 3

From the fields to the grocery store, our food industry is anchored by essential workers who are immigrants. Yet the workers who keep food on our tables are among the lowest paid in Oregon. As governor, what would you do to ensure that the people who grow, process and serve our food do not experience food insecurity themselves?

Answer

industry experts. They are the ones who have a finger on the heartbeat of the industry. We need to have constant communication and a checks and balances to make sure those workers are being paid a survivable or livable wage, where they can afford food and the gas or transportation to get to and from the job site and not have to suffer on either account.

Question 4

From Ontario, to Portland, to Tillamook, rates of poverty and food insecurity are relatively similar. As governor, how would you design solutions to poverty and hunger across rural, urban and suburban communities?

Answer

As Governor, I would make sure there are Staff that work with the Food Industry to make sure that there are programs in place to provide solutions to avoiding the waste I see all around. Stores and Delis that do not sell their hot food all by days end, (Like Grocery Stores/deli’s) are throwing away Thousands of pounds of Food weekly. A program must be implemented where State certified Food Handers are able to access that food for free (a credit to the stores) or for low cost and then get it to the communities. This means we do not waste food and it reaches those that can not afford or can pay very minimal to partake.

Question 5

Of the state’s 67,595 farm producers, only 64 were Black in 2017. Black, Indigenous and People of Color have long experienced barriers in access to land, infrastructure and markets to support farming — negatively impacting both food production and economic development in communities.

1. Does the governor have any responsibilities to remove barriers to farming for Oregonians who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color?

2. If yes, what policies and programs would you support?

Answer

1. Yes, I believe the Governor of Oregon should have staff in place to work with the US Department of Agriculture, and land developers to make sure those born in the USA and those naturalized have the rights to secure low interest or no interest loans to secure land ownership with the understanding they will be helping improve their communities. No longer should the Bill Gates of the world or the Chinese Party be purchasing our land or making shell companies in order to own most of our farmland
   
   They know that you control the food, you control the People. OREGONIANS should be in control of their state and food farming and Production. Barriers should be removed so Oregonians can have food independence regardless of cultural background or color.

2. I would support policies that would assure that no discrimination whether white or black. No Programs that would implement quota. There would be equality of access to land and to water.

Question 6

Oregon faces a crisis of affordable housing. People who request food assistance consistently cite the cost of housing as a primary reason for seeking help — and renters are more than six times more likely to experience hunger than homeowners. As governor, what will you do to move us toward an Oregon in which everyone has safe, affordable and healthy housing?

Answer

As Governor, When ELECTED, I would assure that the costs of Property taxes is re- evaluated. Landowners are being priced out of their own homes after 30 and 40 years of paying off their mortgages. The Property taxes going up every year by 3% and so does the rent. Seniors cannot afford to buy food or heat or even for gas to get to medical Appointments. Landlords are passing that cost to the Renters so we need More RENT control. People being taxed to death and passing that tax on. Renters should not be suffering food deprivation of Healthy and wholesome food, (especially young growing families and Senior Citizens) because of the cost of Housing going “Through the roof!” The liberal lawmakers need to stop this out-of-control taxation…which snowballs into other areas.

Question 7

The work of caring for one another is disproportionately shouldered by women. While the labor of caring for children, the elderly and people with disabilities is often unpaid, professions of childcare and home healthcare are among the lowest paid in Oregon. Single mothers and caregivers are over three times more likely to experience hunger than the general population. As governor, what will you do to ensure that the people providing care in our communities do not experience food insecurity?

Answer

As Governor I would want to re look at how our food programs are helping the children of head start and their providers. I would want to make sure that if a single mother or a caregiver is able to secure a bit higher amount of income that month (based on the Income declaration sheet required monthly) that the single mother and /or caretaker is not penalized with a reduction in Snap or cash to Families.