50 Million People In The United States May Experience Food Insecurity In 2020

FEEDING AMERICA - Millions of children and families living in America face hunger and food insecurity every day according to Feeding America.

Due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 50 million people may experience food insecurity in 2020, including a potential 17 million children.

According to the USDA's (United States Department of Agriculture) latest Household Food Insecurity in the United States report, more than 35 million people in the United States struggled with hunger in 2019. 

In 2018, 14.3 million American households were food insecure with limited or uncertain access to enough food.

Households with children are more likely to experience food insecurity. Before the coronavirus pandemic, more than 10 million children live in food-insecure households.

Every community in the country is home to families who struggle with food insecurity including rural and suburban communities.

Many households that experience food insecurity do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and need to rely on their local food banks and other hunger relief organizations for support.

Over 80 percent of food banks in the Feeding America network continue to serve more neighbours during the COVID-19 pandemic yet are accustomed to this new level of demand, working tirelessly to keep inventory of food and resources high. This is according to the most recent survey by Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief and food rescue organization.

Ninety-one percent of food banks in the Feeding America network responded to a survey between Nov. 9 through Nov. 19 to identify critical gaps in funds, food, volunteers, and distribution. Food banks have consistently seen a 60 percent increase in demand compared to this time last year and continue to require more food and resources to provide to people in need. 

According to the USDA,more than 35 million people, including nearly 11 million children, lived in food insecure households before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a recent Feeding America analysis found that number could rise to more than 50 million people, including 17 million children, by the end of 2020. With the help of monetary contributions to Feeding America and critical partnerships with donors in the supply chain, the Feeding America network has distributed 4.2 billion meals to this growing number of neighbours facing hunger. 

With 11.1 million people in America still unemployed, many are turning to the food banks for the first time. Previous food bank surveys revealed that an estimated 40 percent of people seeking assistance from food banks had never needed help before. 

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