Hunger Action Month: Feeding America highlights nutrition security issues and solutions

02 Sep 2024 --- September is Hunger Action Month in the US, a campaign raising awareness about hunger in the country and inspiring action. On this occasion, we sit down with Feeding America, the largest charity working to end hunger in the US, to discuss food insecurity, positive examples and regulatory recommendations.

“All children need nutritious food for their well-being today and brighter futures. When children have access to food, their futures are nourished,” a Feeding America spokesperson tells Nutrition Insight.

“Feeding America works alongside communities, lawmakers and partners to ensure all children can get the nutritious food they need to thrive through backpack and summer food programs, advocating for Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) when school’s out, working to break down deep-seated barriers and policies that keep children from thriving and much more.” 

The spokesperson asserts that hunger should not be a partisan issue. “We can all agree on supporting families and ending hunger. The policies below were effective in supporting families during a time of unprecedented need. They reduced poverty, improved health outcomes and strengthened communities.”

“During Hunger Action Month, Feeding America will be urging the public to collectively take one million actions to create change and end hunger by donating, advocating, volunteering or spreading the word online.”

The organization further urges US residents to donate to their local food bank or to Feeding America and to visit and volunteer at a local food bank.

Households with children are more likely to face hunger compared to households with no children.Childhood food insecurity

The organization points to data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), which shows that more needs to be done to ensure kids and families can access the food and resources they need to thrive.

“According to the USDA Household Food Security Report, in 2022 one in five children faced hunger, a 44% increase from the previous year. Households with children were 1.6 times as likely to face hunger compared to households with no children. Children in rural communities face additional challenges with child food insecurity rates as high as nearly 50% in some counties.”

“More than 22 million kids in the US rely on school meals during the year. During the summer months, when school is out of session, and school meals are no longer available, food banks step in with programming to help get nutritious food to children during summer.”

The spokesperson argues that some children in the US continue to experience hunger because the system is out of balance. “Not all of us begin life on equal footing, and disparities in access persist because historical policies and practices continue to hold people back today.”

“Black children are over two times as likely, and Latino children are almost twice as likely to face hunger than their white classmates. Feeding America is committed to working alongside communities to ensure all children have access to the nourishing food they need to thrive.”

Feeding America also advocates for federal child nutrition assistance programs to ensure children in communities across the country have access to the food they need to thrive during summer or throughout the year. 

“For example, the Feeding America network collaborated with lawmakers for over a decade to advocate for the Summer EBT program. This initiative, announced by the USDA earlier this year, centers the dignity and agency of families by allowing them to choose the nutritious foods that best meet their needs, ensuring children in communities nationwide have access to essential nutrition during the summer months.”

Prioritize nationwide solutions

Feeding America asserts that leaders from both sides of the political spectrum can agree that common-sense solutions should be prioritized to continue supporting families and children. “These programs reflect what we can all agree on: supporting families, promoting self-sufficiency and building stronger, healthier communities for the next generation.”

Rural communities face additional child food insecurity challenges, with rates as high as nearly 50% in some counties.The organization calls for a Child Tax Credit: “The expanded Child Tax Credit provides much-needed financial support to millions of families, helping them meet basic needs like food, housing and healthcare. By reducing child poverty significantly, the Child Tax Credit gave families the resources to build a more stable future for their children.

The spokesperson also points to the importance of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). “SNAP provides a reliable source of support for families facing economic challenges. SNAP’s role in reducing hunger also supports local economies, making it a smart investment in community well-being. These invaluable programs must evolve to keep up with changing economic circumstances.”

Reasserting the importance of the Summer EBT program, the spokesperson explains that it helps families ensure their children have access to nutritious food when school meals aren’t available.

“This practical solution reduces the risk of hunger during the summer, allowing kids to stay healthy and focused on learning and growth. After the success of a similar program during the pandemic, more than 30 states began offering SUNBucks, a new USDA program, to ensure children have access to nutritious food during the summer.”

Commenting on the expected impacts of the recently updated WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) program, Feeding America states: “We are pleased that USDA’s final rule makes permanent the enhanced Cash Value Benefit that has in the past few years helped participants afford more fruits and vegetables.”

Raising awareness   

Last year’s Hunger Action Month resulted in many successes and improved engagement with the public on the issue of hunger, says the Feeding America spokesperson. 

“Several food banks in the network actively worked with local community partners to take part in the month’s positive actions. The Food Bank of Central New York partnered with their local library to host a ‘Children’s Story Time’ and teach younger generations about hunger in their communities.”

More than 22 million kids in the US rely on school meals during the year.“In Portland, Oregon, the Oregon Food Bank partnered with the Pioneer Place Mall to host sculptures made from canned goods. More than 18,000 cans of food were donated to the Oregon Food Bank.”

The organization details that food banks have also engaged with government officials during Hunger Action Month. 

“The Capital Area Food Bank in Washington DC invited USDA leadership to volunteer as part of the #FedsFeedFamilies campaign. Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County in Irvine, California, also invited government officials to volunteer at their Solutions Farm to plant cabbage seedlings.”

“At the national level, Feeding America engaged with our celebrity partners to spread awareness about the issue of hunger. Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot and Entertainment Council member Scarlett Johansson co-authored an op-ed for USA Today sharing support for families experiencing food insecurity.”

Further discussing the specific challenges food banks are currently facing in meeting demands, the spokesperson shares that some have reported increased pressure from the growing number of people experiencing food insecurity while feeling the compounded effects of increased food costs.

“Food insecurity is about more than food. Our neighbors facing hunger tell us that the cost of living, housing, employment, health and other factors — like the end of pandemic-era relief efforts — are among the top reasons why it’s increasingly difficult to afford and access the food they need to thrive.” 

“The latest Feeding America food bank pulse survey data shows that around 80% of responding food banks report seeing demand for food assistance increase or stay the same in June 2024 compared to June 2023. This includes around 65% of responding food banks that reported seeing an increase in the number of neighbors served.”

By Milana Nikolova