Addressing Food Insecurity in America: A Call to Action for Sustainable Solutions

Introduction

Dear Walmart,

As a parent, I extend my heartfelt gratitude. As a Master of Public Health (MPH) with a specialization in policy, I am encouraged by the steps you have taken and am hopeful that this initiative marks the beginning of broader policy efforts to support those struggling to provide for their families. This initiative represents a commendable first step.

On behalf of the American people, thank you. The joy I experienced walking through my local Walmart today and observing the rollbacks is indescribable. Aisle after aisle, those red tags evoked a sense of excitement reminiscent of a child in a candy store. The savings were immediate and significant, a noticeable contrast to previous visits. Although I sought to speak with the manager to understand the motivation behind these changes, I was unable to do so. Nevertheless, as someone who has observed families facing difficult choices about what to place in their carts, today felt like a breakthrough. The excitement on the faces of those shopping for red-tagged items was heartening, and it brought me great satisfaction to see that, in some small way, the issue of food insecurity—affecting millions across our nation—is being addressed. The knowledge that more families can now afford to nourish their loved ones brought a smile to my face.

In my final year in the Master of Public Health – Policy and Management program at the City University Graduate School of Public Health, my field research concentrated on mitigating food insecurity across New York City. Through my work with City Harvest, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact that access to safe and nutritious food can have on families. We distributed approximately 16,000 pounds of perishable and non-perishable items each month. The trucks would arrive in underserved communities across the city, providing families with healthy and nutritious food that, even if only for a month, alleviated some of their food insecurity. I would leave those communities with a sense of fulfillment, knowing that our efforts were making a tangible difference, filling stomachs, and bringing some measure of comfort to those in need.

Defining Food Insecurity by the Numbers

Feeding America defines food insecurity as a condition in which individuals lack reliable access to the food necessary for a healthy and fulfilling life. It is crucial to understand that food insecurity transcends socioeconomic boundaries, affecting not only the impoverished but also the affluent, the middle class, and people of all racial backgrounds. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the most recent data from 2022 indicates a sharp increase in the overall food insecurity rate, rising from 10.4% in 2021 to 13.5% in 2022. This increase represents the largest single-year spike since 2008, with over 44 million people—equivalent to 1 in every 7 Americans—now experiencing food insecurity, marking the highest rate recorded since 2014 ("Map the Meal Gap, 2024").

During my field studies in 2016, more than 40 million Americans were identified as food insecure. Since that time, a global pandemic, soaring inflation rates, and various social challenges have exacerbated the cost of living for countless Americans. Today, the number of food-insecure individuals has surpassed 44 million, with the situation being particularly dire for children—over 13 million of whom are affected. Extensive research has established a strong link between brain development and nutritious dietary choices, yet for many, consistent access to healthy food remains elusive. Compounding the issue, the educational setbacks caused by the pandemic have left some children not only struggling academically but also facing the added burden of uncertainty regarding their next meal.

While these statistics are undoubtedly alarming, they likely underestimate the true scope of the crisis. The actual number of food-insecure individuals is probably higher, as certain populations—such as the homeless, migrants, and others living in marginalized conditions—are often excluded from these studies. Addressing this gap in data collection is essential, and future population studies must account for these unrepresented groups to accurately assess the full extent of food insecurity in the nation.

Discussion

As a nation, the cost of living has escalated to unsustainable levels, leaving many families struggling to secure basic necessities, including food. This challenge spans both urban and rural communities, affecting individuals regardless of their outward appearances. Some neighbors, who may seem financially stable, could be grappling with the reality of feeding their families, a struggle that remains unseen. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), unemployment rates increased at the beginning of 2024 due to monetary policies, though a decline is anticipated in the second quarter and beyond. Unemployment directly impairs a family’s ability to provide adequate nourishment. While the majority of individuals in the United States are food secure, the prevalence of food insecurity remains a critical public health concern. It is imperative that, as a nation and as policymakers, we continue to elevate awareness and address this issue to reduce the number of those facing uncertainty in accessing healthy and nutritious food.

As we turn our attention to the upcoming elections, policymakers must persist in collaborating with State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) leaders to formulate food policies that prevent the price gouging witnessed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unjustified surges in food prices disproportionately benefit large corporations and their stakeholders while neglecting the needs of millions who rely on these essential goods. The government must enforce accountability for these entities. Hunger remains a significant public health issue, with the potential to precipitate a range of adverse health outcomes.

In 2002, at the age of sixteen, I experienced my first encounter with homelessness in New York City, which inevitably led to food insecurity. Balancing the demands of being a high school student involved in soccer, track, and football was particularly challenging, as I often skipped breakfast and relied solely on school lunches to get through the day. The distress of sitting in a classroom with a growling stomach is one that I remember vividly. As a nation, we invest trillions of dollars in programs that frequently fail to yield meaningful returns or benefit the American people. Addressing social issues, such as reducing hunger nationwide, often seems to be an afterthought. However, this cannot continue to be the case.

Call to Action

For those seeking to contribute to the mitigation of food insecurity, the following actions are recommended:

1. Promote Homegrown Agriculture: Encouraging families to cultivate their own produce can significantly enhance access to safe and nutritious food while diminishing dependence on the broader food system.
2. Enhance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits: Given the critical role SNAP plays as a lifeline for millions of Americans, it is imperative to evaluate and adjust benefit levels to align with the current and projected cost of living, ensuring adequate support for families facing financial challenges.
3. Implement Nationwide Food Price Reductions: Although it may appear straightforward, reducing food prices across the country will necessitate a concerted effort to address the complex dynamics of corporate influence and price manipulation that have perpetuated economic disparities.
4. Increase Investment in Community Outreach Programs: Community-based initiatives, such as soup kitchens, are vital in the ongoing battle against food insecurity. To broaden their impact and serve a greater number of vulnerable families, these programs require increased funding and resources.

Challenges and Strategies for Implementing Recommendations

1. Promotion of Homegrown Agriculture:

• Barrier: Urban and densely populated areas often lack sufficient space for homegrown agriculture. Additionally, many individuals may not have the necessary skills or knowledge to cultivate their own produce.
• Solution: To overcome this, community gardens could be established in urban areas, providing shared spaces for cultivation. Educational programs and workshops can be organized to teach gardening techniques, with support from local agricultural extension services.

2. Enhancing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits:

• Barrier: Enhancing SNAP benefits requires political will and bipartisan support, which can be difficult to achieve in a divided political landscape. Moreover, there may be concerns about the increased financial burden on the government.
• Solution: Advocacy and lobbying efforts can be intensified to emphasize the long-term benefits of SNAP enhancement, such as improved public health and reduced healthcare costs. Demonstrating the economic return on investment for SNAP can help garner support from policymakers.

3. Implementing Nationwide Food Price Reductions:

• Barrier: Nationwide food price reductions face significant resistance from large corporations and stakeholders who benefit from current pricing structures. Additionally, the complexities of supply chains and market dynamics make it challenging to regulate food prices uniformly across the nation.
• Solution: Collaboration with policymakers and consumer advocacy groups is crucial to apply pressure on corporations to engage in fair pricing practices. Additionally, encouraging local and regional food production can help create competition and reduce reliance on corporate-dominated supply chains.

4. Increasing Investment in Community Outreach Programs:

• Barrier: Securing sustained funding for community outreach programs can be challenging, especially in economically constrained times. There may also be competition for limited resources among various social programs.
• Solution: Building partnerships with private sector organizations, philanthropic entities, and government agencies can help diversify funding sources. Raising awareness about the impact of these programs through success stories and community testimonials can also encourage more donations and volunteer involvement.

Conclusion:

In a nation as affluent as the United States, the persistence of food insecurity is a sobering indicator of the struggles many individuals face in meeting their most fundamental needs. The statistics are indeed troubling, with millions of people, including children, uncertain about when or where they will find their next meal. The consequences of food insecurity reach far beyond mere hunger; it undermines education, health, and the overall well-being of families nationwide. As we confront economic challenges and societal transformations, we must prioritize the reduction of food insecurity through strategic policy development, robust community engagement, and the support of initiatives that enhance access to nutritious food. By fostering collective action—whether through legislative reforms, community-driven programs, or personal contributions—we can strive toward a future where every American enjoys the security of consistent and adequate nourishment. The path forward demands commitment and cooperation, but together, we can make meaningful strides in combating hunger.

References

Food accessibility, insecurity and health outcomes. (n.d.). NIMHD. https://www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html

Map the Meal Gap | Feeding America. (2024). Feeding America. MMG 2024 Executive Summary (1).pdf ( feedingamerica.org )

The budget and economic outlook: 2024 to 2034. (2024, February 1). Congressional Budget Office. https://www.cbo.gov/publication/59946

?USDA ERS - Interactive Charts and highlights. (n.d.). https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/interactive-charts-and-highlights/#childtrends

What is Food Insecurity? | Feeding America. (n.d.). Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity

?