Abiding Hunger: Why Food Insecurity Persists in America

PAST EVENT VIDEO

Devita Davison, Amy Laboy, Roger Thurow, and Catherine Bertini examine why food insecurity persists despite America’s extraordinary abundance and what can be done to expand reliable access to food.

Volunteers sort through food donations at the St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix, AZ on June 29, 2022.

Ross D. Franklin / AP

Speakers

Devita Davison
Amy Laboy
Roger Thurow
Catherine Bertini

Event Date

October 15, 2026

About This Event

The United States is one of the world’s largest food producers, yet nearly 50 million Americans experience food insecurity. Often hidden from view, hunger has remained a feature of American life across generations, even as the country’s economy, food system, and efforts to address the problem have evolved. Why does hunger persist in one of the world’s wealthiest countries? What can efforts to address hunger and food insecurity around the world teach us about tackling the problem at home? Join Devita Davison, Amy Laboy, Roger Thurow and Catherine Bertini for a conversation on the history and persistence of hunger in America, and what it will take to ensure more people have reliable access to the food they need.

Copies of Roger Thurow’s latest book, Abiding Hunger: An American Paradox, will be available for sale and signing following the program.

About the Speakers

Devita Davison

Director, Neighbor Insights and Analytics, Feeding America

Devita Davison is the Director of Neighbor Insights and Analytics at Feeding America, a leading nationwide network of more than 200 food banks that feed more than 46 million people. Devita was previously the Executive Director of FoodLab Detroit, a non-profit organization where she provided support to over 200 food businesses through resource connection, mentoring, and networking opportunities.

Amy Laboy

Vice President of Programs, Greater Chicago Food Depository

Amy Laboy is the vice president of programs at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where she leads teams that develop and execute programs to expand food access across Cook County and with community partners to address the root causes of hunger. Previously, she worked in disability services, developing programming to promote skill-building and community engagement for adults with disabilities.

Roger Thurow

Former Senior Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture

Roger Thurow is a journalist and author who writes about the persistence of hunger and malnutrition in our world as well as global agriculture and food policy. He was a reporter at The Wall Street Journal for thirty years, including twenty years as a foreign correspondent based in Europe and Africa. He is the author of three books, including "Abiding Hunger: An American Paradox."

Catherine Bertini

Distinguished Fellow, Global Food and Agriculture, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Catherine Bertini served as executive director of the UN World Food Program, the world’s largest international humanitarian agency, from 1992 to 2002 prior to joining the Council. She was named the World Food Prize laureate in 2003 for her groundbreaking leadership there.

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