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US food insecurity rates nearly unchanged

A recent report from Feeding America shows little decline in the nation’s food insecurity status, despite several years of economic growth.

“There are still some areas above 30% and then if you look at child food insecurity there are a few areas above 40%.”

Craig Gundersen with the University of Illinois tells Brownfield the number of families lacking constant access to enough nutritious food is still higher than during the 2008 recession with varying rates across the country.

“In every county and in every congressional district of the United States there is food insecurity. In other words, there is nowhere in the country that there is not food insecurity.”

He credits the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for successful assistance to food insecure families but says 20-25% of Americans do not qualify for assistance and therefor rely on local food banks.

He says the highest concentration of food insecurity is found in the South and rural areas, but it is important to look at the issue on a local level.