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Hunger in America
Hunger in Hall County
Nutrition Basics
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Hunger in America

Hunger in the U.S. is real.  It's more than a statistic.  Statistics are numbers and we are going to share a few with you; but,  hunger is experienced by real people every day...the people behind the numbers.  We encourage you to visit our Client section to introduce yourself to the many faces of hunger and those we serve.  You may also find additional information that hits home by reviewing Hunger in Hall County. 

We can all make a difference in these numbers.  We do it by touching lives and giving of our time, talent, treasure to the hearts that comprise these statistics.  Join the mission.  Touch a life today.
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The Meaning of Food Insecurity

Just the facts...
Food insecurity increased from 10.7 percent in 2001 to nearly 12 percent in 2004, declined to 11 percent in 2005-07, then increased to 14.6 percent in 2008.  Food insecurity peaked at 14.9 percent in 2011 and has declined since.

While most U.S. households are food secure, a minority of U.S. households experience food insecurity at times during the year, meaning that their access to adequate food for active, healthy living is limited by lack of money and other resources.  Some experience very low food security, a more severe range of food insecurity where food intake of one or more members is reduced and normal eating patterns are disrupted.  Reliable monitoring of food security contributes to the effective operation of the USDA's 15 food and nutrition assistance programs aimed at reducing food insecurity.
Chart from USDA of food insecure U.S. households with children
In 2020, 35.3 percent of households with incomes below the Federal poverty line were food insecure.  Food-insecure households include those with low food security and very low food security.  Rates of food insecurity were substantially higher than the national average for single-parent households, and for Black and Hispanic households.  Food insecurity was more common in both large cities and rural areas than in suburban areas.
In 2020, 14.8 percent of households with children were food insecure.  In about half of those food-insecure households with children, only the adults experienced food insecurity.  But in 7.6 percent of households with children, both children and adults were food insecure some time during the year.

The Long Term Impact of Hunger

Inadequate nutrition takes a physical and mental toll on an individual.  It also takes a toll on our society as a whole.  It undermines our healthcare and educational systems which rely on healthy living.  Consider the following:

  • Inadequate nutrition compromises your immune system and increases the likelihood of illness requiring medical care;
  • A lack of nutritious food affects the ability to learn, to focus, and retain information;
  • Eating the wrong things because you can't afford the right things can lead to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, and cardiac problems.
  • Eating too little of the right things can result in lower energy, reduced energy for exercise and physical functioning.
  • Lack of adequate food can present mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, aggression, attachment disorders, isolation, and more.
  • Pregnant women who do not receive adequate nutrition are at risk for birth complications.
  • Inadequate nutrition creates dental and vision issues.

Working together, we can do something about hunger and everything we do improves our fiscal health as a nation and our mental and physical health as individuals.  It all matters and it all adds up to something much larger than ourselves.  We can fix hunger.  We can help people have access to the nutrition they need to live fully active lives and pursue their dreams.  Join us.  Make a difference.  It all begins with you!
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A Few Definitions

Food Secure:  according to the USDA, "food secure" means you have access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.

Food Insecure:  "food insecure" means that your access to enough food for all household members was limited at least some time during the year.

Very Low Food Security:  means that your eating patterns are disrupted at various times during the year because the household lacked money and other resources for food.