The U.S. government has initiated various programs through the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) for the welfare of its citizens. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) are some of the initiatives undertaken to address hunger and food insecurity in the country. Despite these efforts, hunger continues to be a growing issue affecting millions of people.
Number of People Affected by Food Insecurity
According to the USDA Household Food Security Report, 47.4 million people experienced food insecurity in 2023. This represents an increase of 3.2 million compared to the previous year.
Impact on children
Due to inflation and the rollback of COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts that allowed schools to offer meals to all students free of cost, there has been a significant rise in hunger. Nearly 1 in 5 children or 13.8 million children live in households facing food insecurity.
Economic Impact of Food Insecurity
The U.S. is currently experiencing the economic impact of the global food crisis, with inflation rising, and purchasing power decreasing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that from June 2021- June 2022, consumer prices increased by 9.1 percent, the largest increase the U.S. has seen in 40 years. Families are forced to choose between fulfilling medical needs – and putting food on the table.
Source: U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
Hunger among College Students
As per the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS:20) on food insecurity and homelessness among undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in postsecondary education in the United States report that an average of 23% of undergraduates, and 12% of graduate students, are experiencing food insecurity. This means more than 4 million students are food insecure. And eight percent of undergraduate and 5% of graduate students are experiencing homelessness, translating to more than 1.5 million students.
Source: The Hope Centre for Student Basic Needs
Homeless population
According to the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR), more than 650,000 people in America lack permanent shelters.
653,104 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. in 2023. That number represents a record-high tally and a 12 percent increase over 2022.
More than one-half of America's homeless individuals reside in the nation's 50 largest cities. New York City and Los Angeles alone contain one-quarter of the country's unhoused people. Six in ten individuals without housing (396,494 people) received temporary shelter via emergency facilities, transitional housing programs, or local safe-havens.
Source: https://www.security.org/resources/homeless-statistics/
"No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. We must take bold steps now—with government, the private sector, nonprofits, and communities working together—to build a healthier future for every American."
- Susan E. Rice, Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations
World Food Movement is committed to working to support the government's initiatives and contribute to alleviating hunger in America through our feeding programs.
