What is Food Insecurity?

 Food insecurity – defined by the USDA as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life” – has consequences greater than just hunger.

When a person lacks a basic necessity such as food, they are often forced to make tough choices that negatively affect their living conditions, education, and health. In a 2014 study conducted by Feeding America, more than 65% of their households had to choose between food and utilities, transportation, or medical care. Nearly 80% of food-insecure people report stretching their food budget by purchasing cheap, unhealthy foods, leading to health issues such as obesity, gestational diabetes, anxiety, asthma, and anemia. Food insecurity is also linked to higher healthcare costs; a CDC study found that food-insecure adults spend an average of $1,834 more on annual healthcare than food-secure adults.

Food insecurity typically accompanies other socio-economic stressors, such as low wages, poor housing conditions, depression and other mental health struggles, and social isolation. It’s also another aspect of structural racism in the United States, which assures that the lives of people of color are less healthy in many ways. Food insecurity affects Black and Hispanic populations significantly more often than white populations, with 26.7% of Black households and 20.5% of Hispanic households food insecure in 2019, compared to the national average food insecurity rate of 14.6%. In 2020, only 3% of the nation’s counties had a majority Black (>50%) population, yet 18 of the 25 U.S. counties projected to have the highest 2020 food insecurity rates were majority Black.

As with many other social issues, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of food insecurity. Before the pandemic, an estimated 35 million people nationwide lived in a food-insecure household; by October 2020, the projected number of food-insecure people had risen to more than 50 million. This number represents about 1 in every 6 people in the U.S., including 1 in 4 children.

Delaware’s food insecurity rate was 12% last year, comprising about 11,320 people. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by Feeding America predicts that number to increase by 50,000 people, including about 18,600 children. From March to June 2020, during the pandemic’s beginning, Delaware organizations had already distributed 5.1 million pounds of food to families in need – double the amount distributed in the same months last year.

The pandemic has also created the “perfect storm” for food assistance organizations - a record increase in the number of people in need, a decrease in donations, fewer available volunteers, and disruptions to supply chains and operating models that keep charitable organizations running. One way that food banks and other larger groups have adjusted is by pivoting to drive-up or drive-through food pantries as the safest, most efficient way to distribute food.

Another relatively new way that communities are working to get help to those who need it is through community fridges – a publicly-accessible fridge stocked with donated/funded food that people in need can take anytime, no questions asked. In December 2020, Delaware received its first community fridge at the Kingswood Community Center. The fridge is run by Planting to Feed, a Wilmington-based non-profit that provides fresh, healthy meals and ingredients to those suffering from food insecurity or homelessness through two local gardens. It’s located outside the center and accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

 

If you need food assistance, or would like to share food, funds, time, or other resources with those in need, these local and national organizations can help.

• Delaware 2-1-1: List of food assistance programs throughout Delaware
• Food Bank of Delaware: State-wide non-profit that seeks to end hunger through food distribution programs, food-related workforce development, and community outreach and education. Drive-up food distribution available on weekdays.
• Swipe Out Hunger: College meal assistance program – available at the University of Delaware – that allows students to donate unused portions of meal plans to fellow students in need
• Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): Senior nutrition program providing food packages for low-income families aged 60 and over
• Meals on Wheels Delaware: Delivers hot, nutritious meals to homebound seniors in Delaware

Photo by stevendepolo