My essential questions: How can I make food more accessible to people in poverty? How can I work to improve my own baking and food understanding?

For my first essential question, I am reading a book called The No-Nonsense Guide to World Food by Wayne Roberts to help me better understand what sustainability and accessibility in food look like around the world. So far I have learned about this “food system” that our world has in place. It is seen as a problem and solution for communities in different countries. One problem is food deserts (which is where one neighborhood community has mostly unhealthy chain fast food surrounding them), the solution is gentrification for some, and farming/gardening for others. However, the book states that “Bad systems can foul up the best intentions.” (pg. 23) Meaning more expensive grocery stores may have more “organic” and healthy foods but it’s still not helping people in poverty gain the food they need. The author summarizes “food problems” as, “So-called food problems are caused by putting one narrowly focused government department in charge of the whole food file. All organizations need food animators authorized to bring other departments together so that system benefits can come into view.” (pg. 24) The book also talks about using food as a tool to bring people together and also looking at food in a joyful way. I started also reading the next part about mother nature’s effect on food and people’s issues with sustainable food sources. All of my findings answer my first essential question because I am learning the basics of food systems to help better understand what I can do to help those in need. I’m excited to continue reading to learn more about global food systems, accessibility, and sustainability.

For my second essential question, I have been reading multiple blogs from professional bakers that have a lot of experience and have great advice to share. Specifically, I have mostly enjoyed reading the blog Sally’s Baking Addiction by Sally McKenney. She has a separate tab for baking tips only, and I have used many of her recipes so far with my own baking such as the master scones recipe and the caramel apple cinnamon scones recipe. She also has an Instagram and Facebook where she posts beautiful photos of her baked goods. I have learned a lot from reading her blog and looking through her photos. Her blog has not only helped me to improve my baking, but it has taught me how to take tasteful photos of my treats, and how to structure my own blog as well. Sometimes I do get confused at a certain step within one of her recipes, so sometimes I just improvise and it mostly turns out well for me. Next time I get stuck I might watch one of her youtube videos for more help/inspiration. I love her blog and look forward to using more of her recipes in the future.