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August 11, 2023
Major League Soccer (MLS) and LIGA MX (the professional football division in Mexico) are addressing food insecurity as part of the “United Against Hunger” initiative. The campaign began on July 21 during the Leagues Cup which kicked off on July 21 and finishes on August 19. To promote action on the issue, the World Cup-style tournament intends to leverage the sport to make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families who lack access to an affordable and nutritious diet. Both leagues are collaborating to distribute more than two million meals in the communities of the 47 participating clubs across Canada, Mexico and the US.
According to the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), more than 34 million Americans, including 9 million children, face food insecurity and struggle to eat nutritious meals. In Mexico, around 30 million people or 23.5% of the population, lived in food poverty according to 2022 data. And, in Canada, 6.9 million people lived in a food-insecure household in 2022. Food insecurity and food poverty contribute to poor physical and mental health and can negatively impact education and livelihoods.
The National Institutes of Health report that food insecurity brings profound anxiety and stress into family life, which can trigger mental health issues such as depression in children. Data also shows that the problem worsens for Black and Hispanic families where over the past 20 years, both have consistently been at least twice as likely than White households to experience food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this issue according to the Center for American Progress as disparities deepened.
For every match ticket sold during the Leagues Cup, two meals are donated to those in need across North America. Additionally, select host stadiums will collaborate with local food organizations to distribute unused food following matches. By the close of the Group Phase, 1.4 million packages had been supported through ticket sales.
Prior to the opening match of the tournament, Inter Miami FC player Gregore de Magalhães da Silva and Cruz Azul legend Oscar Peréz supported the initiative on July 20 in Miami, Florida. The pair helped assemble food packages with Feeding South Florida, a local organization committed to tackling food poverty.
The Leagues Cup has also partnered with community organizations dedicated to fighting hunger. Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization, is working alongside tournament organizers and Bancos de Alimentos de México, a network of food banks, is contributing their expertise. Canada’s Second Harvest, the largest food rescue in the country, is also supporting efforts to ensure that food isn’t wasted. Additionally, public events are being held to promote the MLS and LIGA MX’s commitment to the issue beyond the game.
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