New Hunger Figures Show Millions of Americans Continue to Struggle

(From Arnulfo Moreno)

The USDA just released its annual report, which revealed that 17.5 million households were food-insecure in 2013. Food insecurity among African-American households were higher than the national average.  This number is substantially higher than pre-recession figures. With election season upon us, we have to elect leaders that will commit to eradicating hunger in our time.  U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) revealed that 14.3 percent of U.S. households were food-insecure in 2013. Households headed by Black, non-Hispanics were higher than national average with a food insecurity rate of 26.1 percent. The figures are part of the USDA’s annual report, Household Food Security in the United States 2013.

“Our elected officials need to make ending hunger a national priority,” said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. “It is unacceptable that 17.5 million households in this country must choose between paying for medicine, rent, day care, or food.

In 2008, the number of food-insecure Americans increased by more than 30 percent as a result of the recession and has remained above 14 percent. The USDA defines food insecurity as “when consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.”

The working poor and families living in poverty are most vulnerable to food insecurity. The threat to children is especially high – 15.8 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2013.

According to the USDA report, for 360,000 households, “food insecurity among children was so severe that caregivers reported that children were hungry, skipped a meal, or did not eat for a whole day because there was not enough money for food.” Studies show that children who are hungry and at risk of hunger are more likely to struggle in school and have an increased risk for illnesses and weakened immune systems.

“I pray that our brothers and sisters across the country will use the ballot box to speak up for the 49.1 million Americans who live in food-insecure households,” added Beckmann. “During this election season, I urge you to support and volunteer your time to candidates who are committed to ending hunger. I urge everyone to vote for candidates who demonstrate the political will to end hunger in our time.”

Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.

Best,

Fito Moreno

Media Relations Specialist

Bread for the World

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