Did you know this year marks the 45th anniversary of World Food Day? Since 1979, October 16th has been dedicated to promoting hunger awareness and action for the future of food, people, and the planet. This year’s theme is an ode to their mission: Right to foods for a better life and a better future. This mantra aims to highlight safe, affordable, and accessible food because everyone deserves a nutritious diet.
Food is considered one of the three basic human needs, yet 733 million people are hungry in the world. Globally, women and youth are suffering the most and the progress on hunger has stalled. According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, “The number of undernourished people has climbed from 572 million to about 735 million. South Asia and Africa South of the Sahara are the world regions with the highest hunger levels, with GHI scores of 27.0 each, indicating serious hunger.”
With overlapping crises across the world continuing to affect food production, access, and safety, most people are living in food deserts. Let’s talk about how that looks in the US today.
Hunger in America and the Impact of a Global Pandemic
In the United States, hunger is on the rise for the second year in a row, with 47 million people experiencing food insecurity last year, including 14 million children. This is a startling statistic, given hunger was consistently declining for an entire decade. But following a global pandemic, economic stressors, and continuous global conflict, it’s skyrocketed. This World Food Day let’s raise awareness for the millions that are facing hunger right now.
Food insecurity is getting worse right now because, broadly speaking, we have not succeeded in turning short-term fixes into workable, functional long-term policies.- Danielle Nierenberg
At the start of the pandemic, SNAP allotments in most states increased which helped improve food insecurity among these households. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2021 Federal assistance programs lifted 45.4 million people out of poverty. That year, hunger among children greatly benefited since 27% of U.S. children were in families receiving public assistance, versus the 23% in 2019.
We can reduce hunger significantly by strengthening these existing programs. Once those programs expired and inflation began, SNAP benefits failed to cover meal costs in both urban and rural areas nationwide. More households become food insecure again and the cost of housing soars. This is why we see, for the second year in a row, a drastic increase in hunger.
How Much Do You Know about the Causes of Hunger Worldwide? 3 Main Contributors
On a global scale, hunger remains a serious and alarming issue in 71 countries. While each country and region is affected by a multitude of factors, a few overarching themes remain.
1. Climate
“The climate crisis is the leading cause of global hunger,” according to the World Food Program. “Climate shocks destroy lives, crops and livelihoods, and undermine people’s ability to feed themselves.”
When the Earth’s temperatures change, natural disasters worsen and leave areas devastated. Sea levels are rising, droughts are causing wildfires, and hurricanes are more powerful than ever. All of these environmental factors affect our farmers and the food they produce. Natural disasters can also affect the way communities receive food and food assistance.
2. Crisis
Global crises are leaving people displaced without food, clean water, or shelter. These conflicts destroy agricultural infrastructure and halt the production of food which in turn causes food shortages. Ultimately, this leaves women and children disproportionately affected and vulnerable to hunger.
3. Economy
The cost of food and housing has significantly increased, leaving many choosing between putting food on table or paying bills. While 78% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, inflation continues to rise. This is why 1 in 7 Americans are facing food insecurity and aren’t able to get the nutritious food they need. Inflation has long term effects on lower to middle income households especially those with children.
The Disproportionate Impact of Hunger on Minority Groups
Globally, women are more likely to live below the poverty line compared to men. Of the 690 million people experiencing food insecurity around the world, 60% of those individuals are women.
In the U.S., many women struggle to find accessible, nutritious, and sufficient food to feed themselves and their families. Families in female single-parent homes suffer the most with a food insecurity rate of 24.3% in 2021. While, 16.2% of households with single fathers experienced food insecurity. Around the world, women face more obstacles and have access to fewer resources. Yet, many people are unaware of why the gender-related hunger disparity exists in one of the world's wealthiest countries.
Take Action Against Hunger Today
When food is accessible and supplemental programs are put into place effectively, the benefits to children are unparalleled. When children have access to nutritious food at home they are healthier and more successful in school. Everyone can help fight hunger. Take action this World Food Day by hosting a food drive, donating to a local food bank, or holding a fundraiser.
