As a pediatric nurse for 35 years, living and working in both rural and urban settings, I have seen great disparities in health related to where you live. Food and health are closely intertwined and the absence of adequate nutrition directly affects the growth, development and health of children, including their mental health. People in every community have a right to healthy, affordable food, preferably locally grown and more nutrient dense. Chicago has the land and resources to provide this to its citizens to improve health outcomes and we must do everything we can to change the system of food inequity, from the ground up. Putting food back into the hands of all people while bringing communities together around the table, should be a priority in conversations surrounding public health.