FOOD INSECURITY NUMBERS SHOW IMPORTANCE OF SAFETY NET

A new USDA annual food security report finds that 17.5 million American households lacked the resources in 2013 to provide enough food for their families. This number has not changed significantly from 2012. Additionally, the report reveals that nearly 20% of households with children are food insecure–they lack consistent access to a nutritious and well-balanced diet. The report also found that 62% of food insecure households had participated in at least one of the three largest nutrition assistance programs: SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program. These programs are critical for children as 47% of SNAP recipients are kids, WIC is specifically targeted to help improve woman and children’s dietary needs, and the National School Lunch Program serves 32 million children a healthy lunch.

Source:  First Focus, 9/3/14, Food Insecurity & Child Nutrition