Ever wonder exactly how many Americans struggle to put food on table? It’s a question pondered more and more during a tough economy. Today, the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) has shed some light on these conditions with their annual analysis of Americans’ success in feeding themselves and their families.
The report, Household Food Security in the United States in 2010, provides an important analysis of how well people are faring on this front during difficult economic times.
In 2010, just over 85 percent of American households were food secure throughout the entire year. However, about 17.2 million households were unable, at some point in the year, to provide either enough food or adequate food for at least one member due to a lack of resources. That equates to nearly 49 million people in the United States – roughly one in six – who lived in a food insecure household in 2010.
Those numbers are as sobering as they are troubling.
And though they have improved modestly from recent years, hunger is still unacceptable in a bountiful country and we are deeply committed to ensuring that all Americans -- especially children – have access to a healthy diet.
The report underscores the vital importance of Federal nutrition assistance programs in helping to prevent food insecurity. Alleviating these struggles requires Federal, state and local governments, elected officials, community leaders, schools, citizen volunteers, businesses, faith and community-based organizations and agricultural producers to work in concert.
That’s why USDA is partnering with Feeding America and its 200 member food banks during September to observe Hunger Action Month. Its’ during this month we are asking every American to fight hunger in their community…all month long!
Whatever anyone can do to help the plight of the hungry is useful – whether raising funds, highlighting public policy issues, making donations, or volunteering. To make your commitment to end hunger in your community and/or to find resources to help get started, visit: www.endhunger.usda.gov
