Food Insecurity in the U.S.and How it Affects Minorities and People who Live in Low-Income Neighbor
M4EJ Staff; Shalon Stevens
"When food intake is limited, we often see low income parents using the feast or famine method".
When we hear the phrase “Food Insecure” we may associate the term with hunger, poor, or low-income. Although there is some correlation, food insecure is a broad term that we must dissect to grasp the meaning. It is important to understand that anyone can be food insecure; food insecurity can impact every community across the United States. In 2017, an estimate of [1]1 In 8 Americans were food insecure, equating to 40 million Americans.
What is Food Insecurity?
[2]The state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
What Causes Food Insecurity?
One bad month can cause a household to be food insecure due to:
Lay offs
Unexpected car maintenance
Accident at work
Experience sickness or sudden death in the immediate family
Along with these obstacles, living in a food desert can prolong the duration for people being food insecure.
Food Deserts
The term is defined as areas with limited geographic access to fresh meats and produce.[3] According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), over one in every four Atlantians live in food deserts. Being that Atlanta is an urban area, it is considered a part of an urban food desert; a significant part of the population is a mile or more away from the nearest supermarket.
Low-Income Neighborhoods and Food Disparities
[1]People who live in low-income neighborhoods have limited access to healthy, affordable foods. Low-income neighborhoods frequently lack full-service grocery stores and farmers’ markets where most nutritious foods are sold. Residents are subject to shopping at small convenience and corner stores where fresh produce, high-quality fruits and vegetables, and low-fat items are scarce.
Not having reliable transportation is another leading factor for whether families can have access to affordable and nutritious food. Their food choices are calculated based on how many groceries can be carried if they have to walk, or if the family is limited to one large shopping trip a month with a friend or family member.
When healthy food is accessible, it is usually more expensive and for perishable items, likely to be wasted. These families buy food that can stretch their budgets. Those foods tend to be refined grains, added sugars, and fats that are inexpensive and readily available.
Let’s not forget to factor in the abundant amount of fast food restaurants in these low-income neighborhoods. The restaurants are high in calories and low in nutrients.
It is not only people living in low-income neighborhoods who suffer from food insecurity. African Americans and Latinos are more at risk than other racial groups.
Minority groups
According to the United State Department of Agriculture, [1] 22.5% of African American households and 18.5% of Hispanic households are food insecure. These percentages are higher than the national average, which is 12.3%. Minorities often fall victims to food insecurity because of issues regarding poverty, government programs, and education.
Consequences of Food Insecurities
In these situations, food deprivation and obesity become prominent issues. 3These families who skip meals or have to stretch their food budget tend to overeat when food is available to them. When food intake is limited, we often see low income parents using the feast or famine method. They restrict their food intake and sacrifice their own nutrition for their children’s health.
Members of these low-income families also face stress, anxiety, and depression because of the financial and emotional pressures. In most low-income neighborhoods, there is little access to safe parks, recreational facilities, and green spaces. These residents are limited to physical activity which can cause poor health outcomes such as obesity and cardiovascular illness.
Speak Up and Get Involved
Food insecurity is an ongoing issue that has domino effects. How can you help bring awareness to low-income neighborhoods? A starting point would be to write a letter to state legislatures advocating for a policy change. Express the need for community gardens, healthier restaurants, and farmers’ markets in the communities. Also, visit local food banks and seek out ways to volunteer.