Eliminating the Outrage of Hunger: The Hope for Municipal Food Distribution Programs

Despite increased international recognition that it is incumbent upon state governments to provide for the food security of all of their citizens, hunger remains an enormous problem throughout the developing world. Many countries have begun to implement constitutional and statutory changes to their administrative structures, radiating decision-making and spending power outward from the central government. This decentralization has aided municipal governments in caring for their citizens. In the case of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, food distribution programs have succeeded in reducing hunger, unlike similar federal programs conducted throughout the twentieth century. Political changes that have allowed cities like Belo Horizonte to redefine the nature of municipal responsibilities and citizen rights over the past decade involve the entire community in administrative efforts to proffer needed services. This case should be viewed as a "best practice" that may be extended to municipalities in other emerging democracies.