Hunger and Food Insecurity in America

By: Ilyana Rich, Rise Against Hate Research Intern

The United States is arguably one of the most malnourished countries on Earth. Even before the COIVD-19 pandemic hits its peak, Feeding America reported over 38 million people, including12 million children, face food hunger and/or live in poverty in the U.S.¹ Food security relates to availability and access, and utilization. When a person always has adequate availability and access to enough safe and nutritious food and maintain an active and healthy life, they are considered food secure.² The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.³

Food insecurity remains a stubborn issue to solve, and as we navigate our new normal, in the midst of COVID, and supply chain issues, accessing food through food banks and free school lunches has become more difficult.⁴ Meanwhile, studies have consistently demonstrated that household food insecurity is associated with chronic disease, developmental delays in children, and poorer physical and mental health.⁵ Yet, some still see it as a radical idea to consider hunger as a health need.⁶ A paper titled “No Data, No Problem, No Action” captures the issues we have with the United States’ approach to food insecurity.⁷ The argument is that the lack of evidence is the justification for no need for an intervention. However, many rich countries with developed economies, including Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States have ways of addressing food insecurity and relief.⁸ Though we have ways of addressing the issues, nearly a quarter of Americans (24%) say they had trouble putting food on the table in the past 12 months.⁹

Of course, more research is needed to the underlying issue of food insecurity and its influence on health outcomes and disparities, but there is hope. Food assistance programs, such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are available to qualifying individuals. If you’re reading this, you’re a part of the solution too. Volunteer support is always appreciated at your local foodbank, particularly during the holidays when meal orders tend to increase. For those who can’t volunteer their time, financial donations are also always appreciated.

If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, you can find local resources by texting the Hunger hotline at 97779 with any question that contains a keyword such as “food” or “meals.” The automated response will include resources located near an address and/or zip code. More resources can also be found here and here.

References

1. “Hunger and Poverty in America.” Feeding America. Accessed November 16, 2021. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/facts.
2. Food security definition from the UN’s World Food Program and hunger, undernutrition, and malnutrition from the International Food Policy Research Institute’s Global Hunger Index.
3. US Department of Agriculture, (2019). Definitions of Food Security. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security.aspx
4. Cory Turner, “‘Children Are Going Hungry’: Why Schools Are Struggling to Feed Students,” NPR (NPR, September 8, 2020), https://www.npr.org/2020/09/08/908442609/children-are-going-hungry-why-schools-are-struggling-to-feed-students.
5. “Social Determinants of Health Series: Food Insecurity and the Role of Hospitals: AHA,” American Hospital Association, accessed November 17, 2021, https://www.aha.org/ahahret-guides/2017-06-21-social-determinants-health-series-food-insecurity-and-role-hospitals.
6. “Hunger and Poverty in America.” Feeding America.
7. Sharon Friel, David Vlahov, and Robert M. Buckley, “No Data, No Problem, No Action: Addressing Urban Health Inequity in the 21st Century,” Journal of Urban Health 88, no. 5 (2011): pp. 858–859, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-011-9616-z.
8. Christina M Pollard and Sue Booth, “Food Insecurity and Hunger in Rich Countries — It Is Time for Action against Inequality,” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 10 (2019): p. 1804, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101804.
9. Bruce Stokes, “U.S. Stands out as a Rich Country Where a Growing Minority Say They Can’t Afford Food,” Pew Research Center (Pew Research Center, May 30, 2020), https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/05/24/u-s-stands-out-as-a-rich-country-where-a-growing-minority-say-they-cant-afford-food/.