Hunger in America

When the words “hunger” and “starvation” are mentioned, most of us tend to think of developing countries. And for good reason. According to the World Food Programme, of the nearly billion people in the world going to bed hungry tonight, 98 percent of them live in developing countries. But the problem of hunger is closely tied to poverty, and there is no shortage of examples in America. Hunger in America is a growing problem.

In 2010, 49 million Americans (including 16 million children) were not able to get enough food on a regular basis, according to the USDA’s 2010 report, Household Food Security in the United States. That translates into food insecurity for about one in six people -- and about one in four children -- at least some of the time. (A food secure household is one in which the family has access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.) This is the highest recorded level of food insecurity since 1995, when the first national food security survey was conducted.

The problem of hunger is especially critical for children. Children who go hungry are less healthy and more susceptible to learning difficulties and behavioral and emotional problems than children who are getting enough to eat.

Single working mothers are bearing a larger hunger load than average. Many of them work in low-paying jobs and are forced to choose between food, rent, gas for the car, health care, or clothing for their children. “Millions of American women who face this predicament will feed their children and go without meals themselves,” concludes the USDA.

America’s seniors are making difficult choices, too, often between food, medicine, and utilities. In 2009, 7.8 percent of seniors living alone were food insecure. And a recent report by Meals on Wheels (a free food-delivery service for seniors) estimates that as many as 8.8 million seniors are now facing the prospect of not getting enough food to eat. Hunger rates have more than doubled in recent years for poor seniors, and the problem is not improving for this group, the fastest growing population sector.

In fact, things are not improving for any group, though in the U.S. the number of people who went hungry last year did not grow which federal officials attribute to an increase in food aid (and which will decrease if food aid budgets are cut as part of deficit reduction measures). In their Hunger Study 2010, Feeding America reported they are now providing food to 37 million Americans, an increase of 46 percent over 2006, when they were feeding 25 million Americans. (One in eight Americans now relies on Feeding America for food.) As poverty grows, so does food insecurity. In poor areas, many people don’t have the money to buy food or the land to grow their own food and for those on the very edge of sustenance if disaster strikes -- in the form of a hurricane or drought or an economic crash -- there are little to no reserves to fall back on.

Experts agree that America can produce enough food to feed its citizens. In fact, there’s enough food in the world to feed everyone. According to World Hunger Education Service, world agriculture produces 17 percent more calories per person today than it did 30 years ago, even though the population has increased 70 percent. 

What's being done to address hunger in America and how can you help? Here is some of the work taking place:

Community food aid.

Community kitchens, food pantries, and emergency food assistance programs are providing food for the hungry. You can donate money or food directly to these programs or give through food drives. You might also look for opportunities to help through your local schools, churches, and food co-op.

Education to help establish food security.

Some programs are teaching people about nutrition, how to garden and farm, breed animals, and put up food safely. These inspire self-reliance while offering training in specific skills. Others are spreading the word about hunger in America by sponsoring hunger awareness events and providing service opportunities. Check out volunteer opportunities in your area.

Governmental level.

Those working to combat hunger in America point to the need for solid economic solutions to combat poverty, support for local agriculture, respect for environmental resources, and careful management of food systems. Contact your state and federal representatives and share your support for ending hunger in America.

To find out more about the hunger in America, visit:

* World Hunger Education Service, Hunger in America: 2011 United States Hunger and Poverty Facts, http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/us_hunger_facts.htm

* Feeding America, http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america.aspx

* Share our Strength, No Kid Hungry, http://www.strength.org/childhood_hunger/?gclid=CNHNtMWIiqsCFcJrKgodEjUYtw

* USDA Become a Champion to End Hunger, http://www.fns.usda.gov/ech/

* Why Hunger, Campaign 2015: Ending Childhood Hunger in America, http://www.whyhunger.org/about-why/the-american-dream/644-campaign-2015-ending-childhood-hunger-in-america.html