Understanding Food Insecurity

UNDERSTANDING FOOD INSECURITY

Solving the Problem of Food Insecurity is a Primary Focus.

The complexities of food insecurity cross all known races, genders, and economic situations in the United States.

  • What is Food Insecurity?

    Food security is the measure of the availability of food and individuals' ability to access it. According to the United Nations' Committee on World Food Security, food security is defined as meaning that all people, at all times, have physical, social, and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food that meets their food preferences and dietary needs for an active and healthy life. 

  • What situations create Food Insecurity?

    Food insecurity stems from many issues:


    • Factory farming
    • Food waste
    • Lack of public transit in developing countries
    • Inefficient distribution of exported foods
    • Lack of access to irrigation in hot, dry climates
    • Extreme poverty
    • Political instability
    • Lack of access to education, health care, and jobs
    • Remote towns and villages

  • Where does Louisiana rank in terms of Food Insecurity?

    According to multiple data sources and statistical reports, beginning in late 2019, early 2020, Louisiana ranked 1st in the nation in Food Insecurity.


    Louisiana is rising faster than in the rest of the country.

    • 783,400 people 258,630 of whom are children struggle with hunger, according to Feeding America. One in six children 17.9 percent live in households without consistent access to adequate food.
    • Forty six of the sixty four parishes have food insecurity rates of 15% or higher, some as high as 34.4%. The national average in 2017 was 11.8%.
    • Food insecurity rates are higher in small towns and rural areas than in cities, as they are nationally.

    Globally, Louisiana ranks in the top 10 of food insecure places with Cairo, Egypt and other third-world countries.

  • Where is food insecurity the worst in Louisiana?

    The top five food insecure cities in Louisiana are Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport, Baton Rouge and Alexandria.

Home Subscription Box Now Available!

By MJ Fasullo • 15 Aug, 2022
Five Day Meal Box Offering USDA Child Nutrition Certified Items Now Available.

Renewed Outreach on Food Programs

By Jeremy Alford - LA Politics Weekly • 04 Apr, 2022
A new outreach effort is underway to convince school board members, superintendents and child nutrition supervisors to take part in federal programs that provide free or discounted snacks and meals for children in Louisiana.

Food in the Liminal Months

By Mary Joy Fasullo • 15 Mar, 2022
The Summer Food Service Program, otherwise known as SFSP, is a US Department of Agriculture funded program designed to help feed children in low-income areas during the summer months when they can’t get school provided breakfast and lunch meals.

Developing the Whole Child

By Mary Joy Fasullo • 02 Mar, 2022
Louisiana is one of the most culturally diverse communities in the southern United States. The continued integration of different cultures means there is a wide range of incredible music, art, and delicious foods to enjoy.

Virtual learning causes local school districts to struggle against food insecurity

By 3rd Party • 14 Jan, 2022
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75% Of Kroger Workers Are ‘Food Insecure,’ According To New Report

By 3rd Party • 12 Jan, 2022
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An effort in Texas helps members of the military with food insecurity issues

By 3rd Party • 06 Jan, 2022
Food insecurity among Americans remains a real issue, and that also includes U.S. military households. Twenty percent of active-duty respondents to a recent survey say they've experienced food insecurity, and more than 10% experienced hunger. Congress passed a spending bill that includes help for struggling military families. The secretary of defense has called for an action plan, but while that may be a start, Texas Public Radio's Paul Flahive reports it isn't clear if that'll be enough.

COVID increased childhood food insecurity in Louisiana, brought creative solutions.

By News Star • 27 Dec, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted many community inequities, including food insecurity and how greatly children rely on school meals.

Food Insecurity Reaches Five Month High as Child Tax Credit Payments End

By 3rd Party • 22 Dec, 2021
A new Census Bureau survey finds hunger is rising—just as pandemic relief is expiring.

Congress Gets to Work On Food Insecurity

By Ned Fasullo • 20 Dec, 2021
The proposed Food Donation Improvement Act introduced by Blumenthal and US. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-PA, would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to set guidelines to end the date that food can be used by in order to help bolster donations throughout the country. The bill would also extend liability protections to individuals, businesses such as grocers and restaurants and colleges and universities when they donate food to individuals or provide food at a deeply reduced cost.
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