A new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, released in September 2024, outlines Household Food Security in the United States for 2023.
The report found that over 86% of U.S. households were food secure throughout the year. However, at least 13.5% of households experienced food insecurity at least some of the time during 2023, a significant increase from the 1.8% recorded in 2022.
Just over 5% of U.S. households, similar to the 5.1% reported in 2022, had one or more members experience disrupted eating patterns due to limited money or resources.
According to the USDA ERS food security reports, data was gathered through an annual survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of the Census as part of the December supplement to the monthly Current Population Survey.
In 2023, households with children experienced a food security deficiency rate of 1.0% (approximately 374,000 households), which was statistically similar to the 1.0% rate (381,000 households) in 2022 and 0.7% (274,000 households) in 2021.
These households reported instances where children were hungry, skipped meals, or went without food for an entire day due to a lack of resources.
In response to the USDA report, which indicated that 13.5% of households (47.4 million people, including 13.8 million children) were food insecure, Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World, expressed concern over the rising food insecurity in the U.S. over the past two years.
He stated, “It is dismaying that we have the tools and know-how to end it.”
The report also revealed that certain households had higher rates of food insecurity than the national average. For instance, 17.9% of households with children were food insecure, while households led by single women had a staggering 34.7% rate.
Additionally, 33.5% of households reporting incomes below 185% of the poverty threshold experienced food insecurity.
Black households faced a food insecurity rate of 23.3%, and Hispanic households had a rate of 21.9%, both of which are more than twice the rate for White households at 9.9%.
Cho emphasized the need for lawmakers to pass effective policies, such as an expanded Child Tax Credit issued monthly and fully refundable, to alleviate child hunger and poverty.
He also advocated for further strengthening and funding critical programs like SNAP and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to ensure that families struggling with food insecurity have access to nutritious food.
UnidosUS is a civil rights and advocacy organization dedicated to increasing the number of Latino graduates from four-year colleges to double by 2040.
Recognizing that the success of Latinos in postsecondary education is closely linked to the nation’s future economic and civic prosperity, UnidosUS commissioned a study to identify the barriers that hinder their aspirations and opportunities.
Conducted by BSP Research, the study surveyed 3,000 Latinos aged 18 to 35 who are current or recent postsecondary students.
The report, titled “Survey of Latinos in Higher Education: Unveiling Barriers, Celebrating Persistence, and Identifying Opportunities for Tomorrow,” reveals that while Latinos highly value postsecondary education, they face numerous challenges that complicate their paths to graduation.
Most respondents balance work and school, and many lack access to affordable, nutritious food. As a result, many feel overwhelmed, with a significant number indicating that they have considered dropping out of school.
The findings in the “alarming survey” show that 85% of Latino college students cannot afford healthy food, and half struggle to access affordable and nutritious meals consistently.
Among the respondents, 50% reported experiencing food insecurity “a few times a week” or “daily.” This issue affects single parents even more, with 63% reporting difficulties.
Food insecurity is particularly severe among lower-income students, with 54% of those from households earning under $29,000 and 55% of those making between $30,000 and $50,000 reporting challenges.
Among these groups, 21% and 20%, respectively, stated they lack access to affordable and nutritious food daily. Although the issue is most pronounced among those in the lowest income brackets, over 40% of students from higher-income households also experience food insecurity.
Despite a strikingly high number of Latino college students reporting some level of food insecurity, fewer than half (45%) have applied for SNAP benefits.
Among these students, Florida and Arizona have the lowest application rates at 42% and 43%, respectively, while California is closer to the halfway mark at 47%.
When asked why they have not applied for SNAP, 45% of Latino college students indicated they believe they are ineligible for the program.
This perception includes 44% of students with household incomes below $29,000 and 47% of those with incomes between $30,000 and $49,000.
California respondents are less likely to feel ineligible, with only 35% believing this compared to 50% in Florida, 52% in Arizona, and 52% in Texas.
A recent GAO study found that about 59% of food-insecure students who are potentially eligible for SNAP did not report receiving benefits. This highlights the urgent need to improve outreach and access to food assistance programs for postsecondary students.
Latinos see college as a path to a better life, but 85% of Latino college students can’t afford healthy meals. Explore our new survey for insights on food insecurity and poverty challenges. https://t.co/tt0GXWUWCk
— UnidosUS (@WeAreUnidosUS) October 22, 2024
It’s #HungerAwarenessMonth! Did you know that #CalFresh is a state program that awards you up to $291 a month for groceries? 2 in 5 students are eligible for CalFresh.
Take a minute to check your eligibility!https://t.co/OJARV1HLML#ICanGoToCollege #Vision2030 pic.twitter.com/xvGn9UuYkI
— California Community Colleges (@CalCommColleges) June 17, 2024
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