Feeding America has published a map of the 12 Dietary Gap Survey.th Year. Food insecurity exists in all 3,143 counties and national equivalents, as well as all 50 states and 436 congressional districts in the District of Columbia, according to a study by Feeding America.
According to a news release, Map the Meal Gap is the only study to estimate food insecurity and food costs for the entire United States at the regional level. A study published this year provides 2020 data that includes food insecurity rates for several racial groups, showing that variation can vary widely across populations and locations.
Feeding America is the largest hunger relief organization in the United States. It does this through a network of 200 food banks, including the High Plains Food Bank, and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. Through this network, we feed 40 million people a year. According to Feeding America, Feeding America supports programs that prevent food waste and improve the food security faced by the people they face, while also providing education about hunger issues and issues to keep people out of hunger. advocate a law to protect
“Every community in this country experiences food insecurity, but not all of us do it in the same way. These data provide the most complete picture available, We know that behind these data are the people and communities affected by the changes we need to make to ensure that no one goes hungry. Only by understanding reality can we truly address it: Map the Meal Gap provides incredible insight and data, available to all, so people facing hunger, policies Planners and community leaders can work together to develop policies that increase access to food for all.”
Research shows that 1 in 7 (13.5%) individuals and 1 in 6 children (18%) in the Texas Panhandle face food insecurity. Of these, 1 in 3 (29%) of their black neighbors, 1 in 6 of their Hispanic neighbors and 1 in 13 (8%) of their white (non-Hispanic) neighbors are food insecure. facing.
Moore County is the most food insecure, where 1 in 10 neighbors and 1 in 7 children are food insecure. Kotor county, on the other hand, has the highest rate of food insecurity, with 1 in 5 individuals and 1 in 4 children facing food insecurity.
“Overall, rural counties are more affected than metropolitan counties. In our service area, High Plains Food Bank covers 29 counties, 27 of which are rural. has an overall food insecurity rate of 1 in 7 people, including 1 in 6 children, which is a little higher than the national average, so overall neighboring countries have more food insecurity than other regions at the national level. More likely to face insecurity A study conducted by Feeding America found that while rural Americans are more likely to face food insecurity, racial and ethnic disparities also contribute. Food insecurity is more likely to affect our black and Hispanic neighbors,” said Tina Brohlin, director of development at High Plains Food Bank.
The estimated annual food budget deficit is about $30,540,000 in our region alone, and 33.7% of food-insecure individuals exceed the income limit for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. .
High Plains Food Bank has several programs including Kids Cafe, Direct Mobile Distribution, Senior Adult Food Box Program (CSFP), Mobile Harvest Produce Distribution, and nutrition education through The Garden at High Plains Food Bank. We can also refer individuals to programs and organizations that help establish food security, improve self-sufficiency and improve health. Besides that, HPFB helps people apply for his SNAP, CHIP, and Medicaid.
“The High Plains Food Bank alone does not have the resources to conduct this kind of research. By becoming a member of Feeding America’s national network, the people we serve are at risk of facing hunger. Get information that helps you understand your communities, make better decisions with limited resources, and influence policies and practices that remove challenges and barriers between neighbors. This can inspire others to help food-insecure neighbors take action to ameliorate local food insecurity,” Brolin said.
High Plains Food Bank and its partner agencies are looking for volunteers to help keep the wheels spinning.
“At the moment, we are struggling to find enough volunteers, so the best thing people can do is volunteer. If you can volunteer, it will not only help us, but it will also help fight that food insecurity,” Brolin said.
To volunteer with High Plains Food Bank, visit https://www.hpfb.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/volunteer/.
Feeding America has an online interactive map of food insecurity rates around the United States and Texas at https://map.feedingamerica.org/county/2020/overall/texas.
For example, according to Feeding America data, some figures for Potter County include a food insecurity rate of 16.1%, with 19,010 food insecure people. The average meal costs $2.96, and data suggests the additional money needed to meet food needs is over $9 million. Additionally, 76% live below her SNAP threshold of 165% poverty. Randall County has a food insecurity rate of 11.9% and a food insecure population of 16,120. The average meal costs $3.39 and the additional funding required to meet food needs is about $8.8 million. And 49% are below the SNAP threshold of 165% poverty.
For full research collected by Feeding America, please visit https://www.feedingamerica.org/research.