Starving For Reliability

Food Insecurity

Photo: Adobe Stock

During 2020, an estimated 45 million people, including 15 million children, may have experienced food insecurity according to Feeding America. An estimated 10.5% of households in the US experience food insecurity, but what is food insecurity? Food insecurity is the lack of food sufficient for a healthy life. It is important to note that while food insecurity and hunger are similar, they are two different concepts. Hunger refers to discomfort caused by lack of food while food insecurity refers to being unable to get access to food consistently. Food insecurity can cause hunger but hunger does not cause food insecurity.

Who Is Primarily Affected by Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity exists to a certain degree in every country, but some countries experience it more than others. According to the Global Hunger Index, countries that are most vulnerable to food insecurity and hunger such as Chad, Madagascar, and Lesotho are developing countries. One thing these places have in common is their low-income populations.

Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Impact Food Insecurity?

Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic impose many negative health and financial concerns for the world, but it also did worsen food insecurity. The World Bank found that in 2021, COVID-19 has increased the number of people facing acute food insecurity from 2020 to 2021. Acute food insecurity differs from regular food insecurity in that it imposes immediate danger to the livelihoods of people.

What Are Some Preventive Measures that Limit How Many People Are Affected by Food Insecurity?

Currently, there are some programs within the United States (US) that play a key role in fighting hunger. These programs include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), and P-EBT (Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer). These programs provide money to households who struggle with purchasing food.

Many US public schools distribute free school lunch. Food banks and pantries also play a major role in supporting food aid by giving out donated goods. There are many preventatives and aids in place, however, it’s not enough. So what can we as individuals do to help? You can use your voice to make a change. Pushing for legislative changes for both a liveable wage and free school lunches, supporting food pantries and resources for people to grow their own food, advocating for those in need, and raising awareness are all possible with your voice and support. Together, our collective voices will battle food insecurity.

---

Sources:

“New Report Shows Slight Improvement in Food Insecurity.” Www.world-Grain.com, www.world-grain.com/articles/11873-new-report-shows-slight-improvement-in-food-insecurity. Accessed 28 July 2021.

“What Is Food Insecurity in America?” Hunger and Health, hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org/understand-food-insecurity/#:~:text=The%20U.S.%20Department%20of%20Agriculture.

Concern Worldwide US. “The World’s 10 Hungriest Countries.” Concern Worldwide, 12 Oct. 2020, www.concernusa.org/story/worlds-hungriest-countries/.

“USDA ERS - Who Are the World’s Food Insecure? Identifying the Risk Factors of Food Insecurity around the World.” Usda.gov, 2019, www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2019/june/who-are-the-world-s-food-insecure-identifying-the-risk-factors-of-food-insecurity-around-the-world/.

Feeding America. The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020 & 2021. , 2021.

“Food Insecurity by State due to COVID-19.” United Way NCA, 19 Oct. 2020, unitedwaynca.org/stories/food-insecurity-statistics/.

Williams, Nikesha Elise. “8 Ways We Can Actually Increase Food Access Nationwide.” SELF, www.self.com/story/8-ways-to-increase-food-access.