Liz Kirchner
“Food insecurity” is defined as a lack of reliable access to enough nutritious food for a person to lead an active, healthy life. One out of eight Americans experiences food insecurity.
Earlier this month, Feeding America of Southwest Virginia presented the 2019 Feeding America “Map the Meal Gap,” an interactive map of the U.S., displaying food insecurity data for every county and city in the nation.
The map allows policymakers, state agencies, corporate partners, food banks and advocates to develop integrated strategies to fight hunger on a community level.
Food insecurity may be experienced by people who earn below the poverty level and qualify for assistance, but the “Meal Gap” that is mapped in this study considers the working poor who make too much money to qualify for food assistance, but not enough to maintain food security at home.
Nearly a quarter of Southwest Virginia residents who are food insecure are likely ineligible for federal nutrition assistance under current program requirements, falling into that gap, the study finds.
Children are especially vulnerable to food insecurity the report says: 16.9 percent of children compared to 12.1 percent food insecurity for the overall population of Southwest Virginia.
“Children are more affected by the circumstances of their families,” Amanda Allen, Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Feeding America Southwest Virginia.
“Job loss and medical conditions affect food access in a household. A child can’t just get up and change their circumstances.”
Food insecurity exists in every county in Feeding America Southwest Virginia’s service area, the study finds and the organization says citizens can solve the problem of child hunger by understanding the problem and engaging politically.
“There isn’t a single state or county in America free from child hunger,” Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, chief executive officer of Feeding America said in the map announcement, “and it is within our collective power to change that and ensure that today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders.”
Feeding America nationwide network of food banks provides over 146 million meals to children every year, still, “Map the Meal Gap” highlights that more must be done, Babineaux-Fontenot said.
Together food banks, corporations, policymakers, donors, volunteers and advocates can solve hunger.
In the announcement of the study, Babineaux-Fontenot urged everyone to visit the website, map.feedingamerica.org, get involved in solving the problem.
“One way is to tell Congress to invest in kids during Child Nutrition Reauthorization legislation and increase access to food for kids during the summer. Your voice matters and we can make a difference,” Babineaux-Fontenot continued.
Overall food insecurity in Southwest Virginia ranges from a low of 6.9 percent of the population in Botetourt County up to 20.3 percent in city of Martinsville.
“Food insecurity remains a critical issue in Southwest Virginia, even as the country has seen positive movement in economic and other factors,” said Pamela Irvine, chief executive officer of Feeding America Southwest Virginia.
“It is especially serious when we consider the effects of food insecurity on our children. Without proper nutrition, we know that children’s physical, mental and emotional health suffer, and they cannot reach their potential,” she continued. “Feeding America Southwest Virginia is dedicated to supporting the health of children and families through a variety of programs and services provided by our dedicated supporters.”
Feeding America Southwest Virginia is a member of Feeding America’s hunger-relief network comprised of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that together provide food assistance to more than 40 million people in the U.S. struggling with hunger.
Last year, Feeding America Southwest Virginia provided 118,107 individuals per month with meals and/or groceries through 354 partner feeding programs.
The map was made using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and food price data and analysis provided by Nielsen, a global provider of information and insights, the study is supported by The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, Conagra Brands Foundation and Nielsen.
The study’s findings underscore the extent of need that remains in communities in Southwest Virginia and across the U.S., despite national measures from the USDA that indicate overall improvement.
A summary of the findings, the interactive map and the full report are available at map.feedingamerica.org.
