Final answer:
David Levitt brought attention to the potential of using surplus food to feed the hungry. While food preparation inventions and distribution have improved diet variety, issues such as food waste and unsustainable practices persist. There is a need for cultural shifts towards sustainability to combat malnourishment despite global food abundance.
Step-by-step explanation:
David Levitt focused attention on the idea that surplus food can be used to feed the hungry. In the context of food availability and food waste, inventions in food preparation and improvements in the distribution of food have greatly affected what people eat and have enhanced overall health by making a variety of foods available at all times. These advancements in food preservation and transportation have prevented spoilage and facilitated a diverse diet. However, challenges such as overconsumption, food waste, and unsustainable practices persist, warranting a call for changing attitudes towards food selection, waste reduction, and support for sustainable and healthy food systems.
In addition to Levitt's efforts to reduce hunger through the better use of surplus food, the Progressive reformers highlighted the importance of food safety with their exposure of unsanitary conditions in the meatpacking industry. Meanwhile, food availability in urban environments, thanks to efficient production and economy of scale, allowed for more meat in the urban worker's diet, an aspect promoted by figures like Reverend J. R. Day. Yet, despite these advancements, many people continue to experience malnutrition. There are many factors behind this issue, including the disconnect between production, waste, and distribution challenges, as well as cultural values that emphasize excess consumption over sustainability.
It's also vital to address the concern of malnourishment despite the abundance of food. Food waste, marketing of unhealthy foods, importation of out-of-season produce, and the ubiquity of snack food vending machines in schools all contribute to a system where the availability of food does not directly translate to nutritional security. Addressing these problems requires a shift toward more local, seasonal choices, greater awareness of sustainability, and an improved management of the global food distribution system to combat hunger effectively.