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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.

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.

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.

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.

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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