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Hunger Facts
In America
Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive.
And, while people are working hard to
provide for themselves and their families,
more than 50 million people in the U.S.
still relied on food assistance from
charities like Feeding America in 2023.
Hunger facts
47 |
14 |
>50 |
100% |
million people in the United States are food
insecure |
million children in the United States are
food insecure
|
million people turned to food programs in
2023
|
of U.S. counties have food insecurity
|
Facts about hunger in America
More than 47 million people in the US face hunger, including 1 in 5
children.
Millions of people in the US don't have enough food to eat or don't
have access to healthy food. This is a big problem, but together, we
can solve it.
In 2023 alone, more than 50 million
people turned to food assistance for extra help.
Food banks, food pantries and community
organizations unite to help millions of people
access affordable, nutritious food for
themselves and their families.
People experience food insecurity in every community.
Food insecurity affects millions across the U.S.
and some groups face heightened challenges due
to unfair systems that limit opportunities and
prevent people from reaching their full
potential.
Systemic barriers to opportunity are a root cause of
food insecurity for people of color.
Food insecurity happens to people of all races
and ethnicities. However, it is more common for
people of color because of historic and ongoing
discrimination, along with unfair systems in
policies and institutions.
Who faces hunger in the United States?
Hunger can affect people from all walks of life.
Millions of people in America are just one job loss,
missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from
hunger. But hunger doesn't affect everyone the
same—some groups like children, communities of
color, rural communities, women, and people with
disabilities face hunger at much higher rates.
Facts about Child hunger
We all deserve to have enough food to eat without
worrying about if we can afford it. At Feeding
America, we are working to make this a reality.
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Nearly 14 million children faced hunger in 2023.
According to the USDA ,
one in every five children is unsure where they
will get their next meal.
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Families with children are more likely to face
hunger.
Raising kids can cost a lot of money. Buying
clothes, getting food, and paying for school can
all add up fast and make it tough for families
to meet all their needs.
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Black and Latino children are nearly twice as
likely to face hunger.
Many families, regardless of their race, have a
hard time affording food. However, it happens
more frequently to families of color because of
discrimination based on race.
-
Single-parent families are more likely to face
hunger.
Managing expenses can be tough with one source
of income. In 2023, 1 in 3 households headed by
single moms and 1 in 4 households headed by
single dads experienced food insecurity.
Causes of child hunger
There are many reasons why kids
might not have enough to eat. Some
of the common reasons include:
Low family incomes
Although parents and
caregivers work hard to
provide for their children,
low wages make it difficult
to have enough money to buy
food. Lack of affordable housing
Despite budgeting and
saving, the high cost of
housing can make it
difficult for families with
children to afford food and
rent. Racism and discrimination
Black people, Latinos, and
Native Americans are more
likely to face barriers to
getting food. Effects of
child hunger
Hunger can affect children's health,
development, and well-being. Some
common effects include:
Poor academic performance
Children who experience food
insecurity may have trouble
focusing and learning in
school.
Increased health problems
Kids who don't get enough
food to eat face higher
risks of health conditions
like anemia and asthma.
Developmental differences
Hunger can change how a
child's brain and body grow
and affect their thinking,
learning, and behavior.
Facts about Senior hunger
Hunger is a serious problem in America, and it
affects more seniors than you may think.
-
Almost 7 million seniors were food insecure in
2022.
According to the USDA ,
many older adults don’t have enough food for a
healthy and active life.
-
Even more seniors could be food insecure if we
don’t act.
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Seniors of color are more likely to experience
hunger.
Racism and discrimination cause seniors who
identify as Black, Latino, and Native American
to have higher rates of food insecurity.
- Caring for Grandchildren Increases a seniors’
risk of hunger.
Seniors who live with their grandchildren are
more likely to have trouble purchasing food for
their entire family on a limited income.
Causes of senior hunger
There are many reasons why seniors are at higher
risk for hunger: Health conditions
Seniors are more likely to have chronic
health conditions that make cooking and
grocery shopping difficult. Transportation problems
Many seniors don’t have access to
transportation, making it more difficult to
get to grocery stores or food pantries. Fixed income
Seniors often have limited income, making it
difficult to afford food and other expenses
like rent and medicine. Social isolation
Seniors who live alone may not have family
or caregivers who can help them with grocery
shopping and cooking. Effects of hunger on seniors
Older adults experiencing food insecurity can’t
always get the healthy food they need. This
makes them more likely to have chronic health
conditions like asthma and diabetes. They may
also experience mental health problems like
anxiety and depression.
Facts about Veteran hunger
1 in 9 |
working-age veterans are food insecure. |
24% |
of active-duty service members were food insecure in 2020. |
1.2 |
million low-income veterans use SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). |
Cause of food insecurity for military families
There are many reasons why some military families may not always have
enough food to eat. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Low pay:
Many military members, especially those just starting, don’t make a
lot of money. This can make it hard to buy groceries, especially if
they have kids.
Hard to find jobs:
It can be hard for the partners of military members to find
steady jobs, especially if they have to move often or live on a
military base.
Not many stores nearby:
Some military bases are far from grocery stores or food
pantries, making it hard to get food.
Unexpected expenses:
Just like everyone else, military families can have unexpected
expenses that eat into their budget, like moving costs or
medical bills.
Not eligible for food help:
Some military family members don’t qualify for food assistance
programs because they’re considered to have too much income.
This is because the housing allowance they receive to help pay
for housing counts as income.
Cause of food insecurity for veterans
There are many reasons why some military families may
not always have enough food to eat. Here are some of the
most common reasons: Low income:
Many veterans, especially older ones or have
disabilities, may not have enough money to afford
food, especially if they have health problems or
need to pay for medicine.
Trouble finding work:
Leaving the military can be a big change. Veterans
need time to find jobs and housing. This can make it
hard to have a steady income to buy food.
Impact of military service:
Some veterans have physical and mental conditions
from their time in the military. These conditions
can make it hard to work or manage daily life,
making it harder to afford food.
Fighting Hunger for Veterans and Active Military
Families
SNAP, once known as food stamps, is a government
program that helps people buy food. It works like a
debit card to purchase groceries at most stores.
SNAP can make a big difference for veterans and
military families who need help affording food. Sadly, not all eligible veterans and military family members sign up
for SNAP. That’s why the Feeding America network works to spread the
word about SNAP and let people know there’s no shame in needing
help.
Facts about poverty in America
Many people in America face challenges getting the food and resources they need
to live healthy, full lives. Here are some facts about poverty in America.
In the US, a family of four earning under $30,000 a year is considered
low-income.
The federal poverty line helps identify families who might need extra help with
things like food and housing. The government sets this number each year.
In 2023, over 36 million people lived in poverty, according to the Census.
However, two-thirds of the people facing food insecurity in America reported
incomes above the poverty line.
People of color are more likely to experience poverty.
People from all different races and backgrounds can experience poverty. But it
is more common for people of color because of racism and discrimination
People with disabilities and chronic conditions are also more likely to
experience low incomes and hunger.
Living with a disability and chronic conditions is more difficult, and
healthcare is expensive. People living with disabilities may be unable to work
or face discrimination in employment.
Causes of poverty
Poverty is a complex issue with many causes. Here are some of the most common
causes of poverty:
Low wages and unemployment
Many people who work full-time or multiple jobs still don’t earn enough money to
make ends meet. People with disabilities and chronic conditions may not be able
to work or paid fairly.
Lack of affordable housing
Housing is expensive, making it difficult for people to afford a place to live.
This can lead to homelessness or living in unsafe or overcrowded conditions.
Racism and discrimination
People of color, women, and people with disabilities are more likely to have low
incomes because of discrimination. This can make finding housing, jobs, and
other opportunities difficult.
Education and healthcare
People without education and healthcare may have difficulty finding and keeping
good jobs. This can often keep people stuck in low-wage work.
Effects of poverty
Many people in America want to take care of themselves and their families
without relying on others. However, poverty can make it difficult for people to
achieve their goals. Poverty can make paying for necessities like food, shelter
and healthcare hard.
Food insecurity
People living in poverty may not have enough money to consistently afford
healthy food.
Poor health
People living in poverty may have less access to healthcare and healthy foods.
Education
Children living in poverty may be less likely to attend higher education, making
it difficult to get a job that pays a livable wage.
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