Often, when we contemplate the term “infrastructure” we associate the word with structures like roads and bridges, but the impact of infrastructure on communities goes far beyond that. This Thanksgiving, we would like to reflect on the ways food security, a critical aspect of community well-being, is deeply intertwined with infrastructure. From disparities in the quality and availability of things like roads, pipelines, and buildings, to historic policies such as forced displacement, redlining, and zoning for major construction and roads, the presence or absence of infrastructure has a direct impact on the food security and well-being of communities across the United States.
Historically, transportation projects like major highways and railroads have physically severed communities, causing cultural disruption, and leaving many residents in food deserts where they lack access to affordable and healthy foods. Data shows us that in the United States, Black, Hispanic, and Native American/ Alaskan Native communities in particular have been adversely affected by these types of large infrastructure projects. Moreover, historic federal policies, such as the forced removal of Native Americans from their land, have upended traditional food systems, disrupting both the cultural traditions of these communities and contributing to food insecurity and poor health outcomes.
In recognition of the importance of infrastructure in fostering food security, Engineers Without Borders USA, as a part of the Community Engineering Corps (CECorps), has partnered with communities across the US for nearly 10 years now to provide the engineering expertise needed to support infrastructure projects directly tied to improving water and food access. One such collaboration exists between EWB-USA’s University of Arizona Chapter, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, and the Nalwoodi Denzhone Community (NDC), which is a non-profit on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
Established in 1872, community members on the San Carlos Apache Reservation face many challenges rooted in historical displacement, and lack of infrastructure investment. Over half of the community lives below the poverty line. On top of that, necessities like food are fewer and further between and often more expensive than in other parts of the country. Nationally, food prices for staples like bread, eggs, and apples can be nearly 85% higher in Tribal Nations than the national average. In contrast, unhealthy food prices often remain the same or cheaper.
The Nalwoodi Denzhone Community (NDC), was founded on 93 acres of tribal land in 2012 and seeks to revitalize the San Carlos Apache community through transformative projects. Their initiatives include preserving traditional foods and reintroducing them to younger generations. Food like the Apache Giant Squash and red sugarcane, grown in NDC’s gardens, serve as both a cultural preservation effort and a source of healthy, reliable food.
The University of Arizona’s EWB-USA chapter began collaborating with NDC in 2015, when NDC sought assistance in revamping its existing wells to help meet the community’s agricultural needs. Their initial projects focused on improving water infrastructure to support more agricultural development. First, the chapter worked to deliver an alternatives-analysis for equipping a well, which included recommendations for a drilling team to come out and deepen the existing well and advised that the well should be equipped with a new pump. Subsequent efforts involved designing an irrigation system to support the cultivation of traditional crops.
Additionally, the community aimed to incorporate a fishing pond as an agricultural resource. To assess its viability, the chapter conducted preliminary water quality testing, uncovering elevated arsenic levels that rendered the pond unsuitable as a food source for the community. Despite this setback, the collaborative efforts persisted. The focus shifted, and the pond will now be intended primarily for recreation and education. The ongoing partnership between the chapter, the community, and NDC now encompasses additional activities such as soil testing and the completion of construction documents necessary for the pond’s design.
Beyond their volunteer work through the EWB-USA chapter members have formed a close relationship with the community. Many chapter members also attend community events, like fall fest and pumpkin carving, and volunteer with NDC on projects like trash pick-ups, gardening, and tree planting.
Infrastructure plays a crucial role in determining the food security and well-being of communities across the country. Collaborative efforts like those between Engineers Without Borders (as part of the Community Engineering Corps), the Nalwoodi Denzhone Community, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe, demonstrate engineering with empathy in practice. While disparities in food access are often rooted in historic policies, zoning practices, and separation created by large infrastructure projects, the key to bridging these gaps can also be found in leveraging engineering expertise to improve infrastructure. Through partnership, we can contribute to sustainable solutions that foster cultural preservation, and enhance access to healthy, affordable, and reliable food.