Creating a Food Secure Portland
As we move through our The Drive to Thrive Campaign at Pride Northwest, it has become increasingly clear that one key issue can not go ignored. In engaging with this work, our community, and the mission of this campaign, we have seen how access to healthy and affirming food is deeply tied to housing stability, economic opportunity and the well-being of our community. For many in Oregon and SW Washington’s LGBTQIA2S+ community, all of these systemic challenges are interconnected and make it difficult to not just survive, but to truly thrive. (1)
When our most vulnerable community members lack access to culturally appropriate nutritious food that also meets people’s dietary needs, this reflects broader systems of exclusion and inequality that we should strive to change. The growing food insecurity crisis in Oregon highlights how interconnected our struggles are but also what our solutions could be. (2)
In this post, we’ll provide some definitions of food insecurity, explore the scope of food security in our region, and highlight the unique challenges LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals face. We will also share how LGBTQ+ communities and the broader community have stepped up in the wake of the current government shutdown and also how some local organizations continue to lead the change toward food justice.
Defining food security
Food security is having access to safe and healthy food options on a consistent basis. There are several key factors in food security for a community. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines four key factors in food security:
Availability: This aspect focuses on the availability of food in a region, ensuring that enough food is produced and accessible. It considers agricultural production, supply chains, and the presence of food markets.
Access: Access involves both physical and economic means to acquire food. It emphasizes that people should have sufficient resources, such as income and transportation, to obtain food. This can encompass issues like food deserts where grocery stores are scarce.
Utilization: This dimension focuses on the nutritional quality of food and the way it is prepared and consumed. It highlights the importance of good health and sanitation, emphasizing that food must be used effectively to achieve nutritional benefits.
Stability: Stability refers to the reliability and consistency of food access over time. Individuals and communities should not face fluctuations in food availability due to factors like economic downturns, natural disasters, or seasonal changes.
The Status of Food Security in Oregon
Food insecurity in Oregon significantly affects vulnerable populations, including the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, which experiences disproportionately higher rates of hunger due to systemic inequalities.
Research suggests that 1 in 4 Oregonians are food insecure, a number that has doubled since COVID-19. Communities of color, single mothers, and LGBTQ populations experience rates of food insecurity at a rate 2-3 times higher than the average. (1) (2) This already startling number is set to worsen with the disruption of food assistance programs, and harmful policy changes that seek to eliminate safety net programs that are not just limited to food access. (3)
The very real threat to the disruption of SNAP funding is not an isolated harm to food security. Factors like the rising cost of living, and perpetual systematic issues have been long standing barriers to food security.
When broadly discussing “systematic issues,” when it comes to the LGBTQ2SIA+ community, this term refers to the disproportionate and heightened vulnerability of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals' access to food security due to (but not limited to) systemic poverty, discrimination, and exclusion. And a lack of food security is known to have adverse effects on health outcomes and overall quality of life. (4) (5)
When we take a closer look within our diverse community, we see that many transgender and gender expansive individuals face further challenges such as:
Accessibility and the capability to get to food pantries or grocery stores – transgender adults have higher rates of disability than the cisgender population and disabilities and accessibility needs may affect their ability to access food resources. (6)
Safety concerns and barriers – many trans individuals may not feel safe going to food pantries run by churches, for example, or may face discrimination when trying to access resources. (7)
Access to dietary-specific food – the transgender population faces higher rates of chronic illnesses and autoimmune diseases which can influence dietary needs, making it harder to access the appropriate nutrition to manage certain health conditions. Dietary specific food often comes with a higher price or can be more difficult to find, especially at food pantries. (8)
Resources
In October 2025, when federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility and benefits in Oregon were announced, the LGBTQ2SIA+ and the broader community in Portland, Oregon actively stepped up by partnering with inclusive food programs, supporting local businesses offering food access, and organizing community-led initiatives to mitigate emerging food deserts.
While some food access efforts may fluctuate under this uncertainty, many older, year-round programs continue to operate as part of the broader food justice movement in the region.
If you are seeking reliable, year- round food assistance, you can access support through services such as Food Finder and 2-1-1. Food Finder helps locate nearby food pantries, food banks, and meal programs by providing updated information on community resources. Similarly, 2-1-1 is a national helpline that connects people with essential services, including emergency food assistance, ongoing pantry locations, and more.
Food Finder (Oregon Food Bank)
In addition to large scale resources like the abovementioned, several community-based organizations and businesses, are playing an important role in ensuring people have access to nutritious food and also help fill gaps by providing culturally relevant meals and uplifting their neighbors through dignity centered food support. To highlight a few:
Hand Up Projects-The People’s Pantry features a “shopping style” pantry preserving dignity by offering a choice of food staples.
Mis Tacones integrates family, culture and social justice through food - dedicated to the communities they are a part of. Owners Carlos Reynoso and Polo Banuelos serve up traditional Chicano & LA-Style Street Food, inspired by their roots, with a plant-based twist. The restaurant has a pay-it-forward model that provides free meals to trans people of color upon request.
Overcoming barriers to food security by cooking and delivering cost-free family meals to those in need, no questions asked.
Oregon based. Providing healthy meals for those who need them most, at no charge. Volunteer run and donation supported.
These tools and resources play a vital role as safety nets for many in our communities, by offering year-round assistance, these programs and community efforts, help ensure that people can meet their basic nutritional needs. At the same time, it is a crucial time to continue the fight to keep the programs funded, and supported.
Closing Thoughts
Food security isn’t just about providing meals, it’s about creating lasting systems of support, dignity, and opportunity. Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating resources, direct financial support or simply spreading awareness, every action counts.
There are many ways you can make a difference:
Donate, volunteer, and ally with LGBTQ food security initiatives to create inclusive community resilience. (9)
Advocate for policies that strengthen food access
Collaborations with LGBTQ advocacy groups that connect food security with broader social justice work (10)
Support for legislation like Oregon’s Food for All Oregonians bill (SB 611) aimed at expanding food assistance statewide (11)
Community efforts
Start a little free pantry or free fridge in your neighborhood
Development of neighborhood shopping-style food markets that allow choice and cater to cultural dietary needs, reducing barriers for marginalized groups (12)
Pay-it-forward and donation models by LGBTQ businesses to subsidize meals for those in transition or experiencing financial hardship (13)
“The Drive to Thrive” by Pride Northwest, is a campaign that champions adaptability, growth, and collective strength in overcoming challenges. This campaign is dedicated to transforming our community by; advocating for culturally appropriate care/ housing services for the LGBTQ2SIA+ community. It focuses on creating equitable opportunities and elevating the spaces we inhabit. “The Drive to Thrive” highlights the remarkable people, initiatives, and organizations in the Pride Northwest ecosystem that are driving change and fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. The dual approach to this campaign engages the people in the community who need help navigating their way back, as well as, activating the stewards of the community.
Get Involved With Pride Northwest
Share your skills: Volunteer with us!
Learn more about Drive to Thrive
This post has been jointly authored by Henry Felton, Julie Baltazar, Jax Lamont, Debra Porta
Other Cited Sources:
1- Hart, Carl. High Price: A Neuroscientist’s Journey of Self- Discovery That Challenges Everything You Know About Drugs and Society. (HarperCollins, 2013)
2-Kendall, Miki. Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot. (Penguin Books, 2021)