"Hunger in the United States is obviously a different phenomena than what you see in developing countries throughout the world. But it's still a very real and serious problem that millions of families face. And unfortunately, shame, lack of knowledge and a feeling of helplessness makes the problem difficult to talk about for those struggling with hunger and those trying to help.
The USDA measures hunger in terms of food security. This scientifically-tested approach breaks households into four groups: high food security (no problems consistently accessing nutritious food); marginal food security (occasional problems, but nothing that substantially impacts the household's diet); low food security (households are able to access food, but not provide a consistent and nutritious diet - eating cereal without milk three times a day at the end of each month); and very low food security (adults and children are regularly skipping meals because they don't have the resources to purchase food).
The USDA measures food security every year in a supplemental survey to the US Census Bureau's Current Population Survey. In 2008, 14.6% of American households were food insecure and 5.7% had very low food security - the highest recorded since 1995. In Massachusetts, 8.3% of households (about 554,000 people) were food insecure, 3.8% had very low food security.
Hunger impacts the health outcomes of our most vulnerable populations - children, elders and the chronically ill. Food insecure children and elders are more likely to suffer from asthma, anemia, and cardiovascular disease. They are hospitalized more often and for longer periods. Food insecure mothers and children have more anxiety, depression and behavior issues. And food insecurity can contribute to childhood obesity.
There are a number of efforts to combat hunger - food pantries, soup kitchens, community meals programs, federal nutrition programs (such as food stamps, school meals, summer meals and WIC (Women, Infants and Children)), community gardens, food co-ops, etc.
What can you do to help?
- Support your local food pantries and soup kitchens by volunteering your time and/or contributing money and food.
- Participate in the Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 2nd!
- Consider partnering with other organizations, schools, etc. to promote school breakfast programs and summer meals programs in Medford. Help de-stigmatize these programs and make children feel good about participating in them.
- Consider partnering with other groups in Medford to offer more community meal opportunities."
The USDA measures hunger in terms of food security. This scientifically-tested approach breaks households into four groups: high food security (no problems consistently accessing nutritious food); marginal food security (occasional problems, but nothing that substantially impacts the household's diet); low food security (households are able to access food, but not provide a consistent and nutritious diet - eating cereal without milk three times a day at the end of each month); and very low food security (adults and children are regularly skipping meals because they don't have the resources to purchase food).
The USDA measures food security every year in a supplemental survey to the US Census Bureau's Current Population Survey. In 2008, 14.6% of American households were food insecure and 5.7% had very low food security - the highest recorded since 1995. In Massachusetts, 8.3% of households (about 554,000 people) were food insecure, 3.8% had very low food security.
Hunger impacts the health outcomes of our most vulnerable populations - children, elders and the chronically ill. Food insecure children and elders are more likely to suffer from asthma, anemia, and cardiovascular disease. They are hospitalized more often and for longer periods. Food insecure mothers and children have more anxiety, depression and behavior issues. And food insecurity can contribute to childhood obesity.
There are a number of efforts to combat hunger - food pantries, soup kitchens, community meals programs, federal nutrition programs (such as food stamps, school meals, summer meals and WIC (Women, Infants and Children)), community gardens, food co-ops, etc.
What can you do to help?
- Support your local food pantries and soup kitchens by volunteering your time and/or contributing money and food.
- Participate in the Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 2nd!
- Consider partnering with other organizations, schools, etc. to promote school breakfast programs and summer meals programs in Medford. Help de-stigmatize these programs and make children feel good about participating in them.
- Consider partnering with other groups in Medford to offer more community meal opportunities."
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