In the United States, food insecurity is the highest it’s been since 2014. With cuts to food assistance programs at stake, this crisis will grow, and as a result, millions of children and adults will continue to worry about where their next meal will come from.
The reality is, no matter where you live in the U.S., at least one of your neighbors doesn’t have access to reliable, consistent, and fresh food.
Did you know more than 50 million people needed food programs in 2023?
Hunger doesn’t always look the same, and many people are struggling to put food on their table. Here are five surprising facts that you may not know about food insecurity and why addressing it is more urgent than ever.
1. Millions of Full-Time Workers Experience Food Insecurity
You may associate food insecurity and hunger with unemployment and homelessness. However, of the 18 million food insecure households in 2023, more than half, 56%, had at least one adult working full time.
Oftentimes, essential workers such as teachers, healthcare staff, and service industry employees don’t earn wages that support the rising cost of living and a family. A full-time job doesn’t necessarily guarantee food security, and these working families must rely on food banks and government assistance to get by. Likewise, students working towards higher education are also struggling. In 2023, 23% of undergraduate students reported experiencing food insecurity.
Did you know that nearly 62% of SNAP participants are families with children?
2. Food Insecurity Disproportionately Affects Marginalized Communities
Hunger impacts all communities, but it does not impact all of them the same. Systemic barriers continue to impact and influence higher rates of food insecurity among people of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and rural populations.
- In 2023, Black and Hispanic households faced food insecurity at double the rate of white households.
- In 2023, 1 in 4 Black people experienced food insecurity in America.
- Of the 343 million people experiencing extreme food insecurity around the world, 60% of them are women and girls.
- Over 30% of single parent female-led households experience food insecurity.
- In May 2023, 15% of LGBT adults and 19.3% of people who identified as another sexual orientation ( intersex, asexual) reported not having enough to eat, compared to 10.4% among non-LGBT adults.
- Households in the Southern region experience higher rates of food insecurity than any other U.S. region at 14.7%.
These groups continue to face obstacles such as wage gaps, transportation, language barriers, housing instability, and limited access to grocery stores. Often, predominately Black and Latino communities are located in food deserts, limiting their options for nutritious and fresh food.
3. Hunger is Not Caused by a Lack of Food
While 47 million Americans struggle to find their next meal, more than 38% of all food produced in the U.S. goes to waste each year. This is perfectly good food that’s lost at every level of the supply chain including production, processing, storage, transportation, retail, and consumption. The issue isn’t a lack of food, it’s what we’re doing with it. In fact, food waste and food insecurity are deeply connected.
This is why at Move For Hunger, we’re working to turn food waste into meals by rescuing surplus loads and delivering them to food banks across the country. Through our partnerships, transportation network, Multi-family housing communities, and people like you, we’ve provided over 48 million meals to those in need across the U.S. and Canada. It’s important to continue moving meals, not only help those in need but to rescue some of the 63 million tons of food that goes to waste every year.
4. Food Insecurity Leads to Higher Risk for Chronic Disease
By definition, food insecurity is “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food,” according to the USDA. Without the proper foods essential to a healthy diet, these individuals are faced with nutrition deficiencies and weakened immune systems that can lead to other health problems.
The stark reality is, when people don’t have enough to eat or can only afford cheap, processed foods, they face a higher risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
The USDA estimates 53.6 million people in the U.S. live in low-income and low access food areas.
With 1 in 5 children experiencing food insecurity, it’s important to note the longterm impact it has on them. Food insecurity among children leads to negative implications in their physical, social, cognitive, and behavioral development.
Getting involved in the fight against hunger helps our leaders of the future learn better in school and reach their full potential. You can make an impact in your community by hosting a food drive.
5. Food Insecurity Isn’t Just a Holiday Issue – It’s Year-Round
There’s always an emphasis on giving back during the holiday season, but hunger doesn’t take a break. In fact, one of the most challenging times of year for food banks and food insecure households is summer.
Every year 30 million children lose access to free or reduced-price school meals when summer starts. Without that help, families are forced to turn to their local food banks for help.
This just so happens to be the same time when they’re struggling to keep their shelves stocked. With fewer donations and increased demand, food banks often struggle to keep up with the need. That’s why lending your support all throughout the year makes a real difference.
How You Can Help Fight Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is a big issue, but even small actions make a difference. Whether you turn your miles into meals with Team Move For Hunger or engage your team in a Corporate Social Responsibility event, you help us fight food insecurity one meal at a time.
By working together, we can ensure no one has to wonder where their next meal will come from. Take action today or find other ways to give.
