Food Facts | Hawaii Food Basket

Facts

Not having enough food to sustain a healthy life is a reality for 1 in 8 Americans. This includes children and seniors.
Hunger is an issue for many people not just for the people who struggle with poverty and homelessness.
According to the USDA, more than 12 million children are living in food insecure households.
School meal programs help but what happens on weekends and holidays?
36% of households served by the network of food banks include one adult who is employed.
26% of adults, who participated in the Hunger Study have attended college or technical school.
Education is extremely important but sometimes——its not enough.
The lack of proper nutrition affects the cognintive and behavioral development of children.
Children from food insecure low-income households are more likely to experience irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating compared to other children. This cn make performing in school very difficult.
Rural areas have high poverty rates. In these areas it can be more difficult for food banks to provide emergency assistance and to support food pantries effectively
According to the USDA, limited resources prevent more than 36 million Americans from getting enough food.

Hawaii Findings

The needy face tough choices: 32% have had to choose between food and rent or mortgage bills, 27% between food and medicine or medical needs .
Among households with children, 67% are food insecure, including 31% who are experiencing hunger.
Hunger affects all stages of life:
11 % of all adults served are elderly (65 or older).
25% of all households served had one or more children under age 18; 6% of all households served had one or more children age 5 or under.
Not all served are impoverished:
Even in a booming labor market, 70% of clients served have an income below the official poverty guidelines
63% of all client households have a monthly income below $1,000
30% of client households report having at least one household member in poor health

(Facts from “Feeding America- 2009”)

Not having enough food to sustain a healthy life is a reality for 1 in 8 Americans.
This includes children and seniors. Hunger is an issue for many people,
not just for the people who struggle with poverty and homelessness.
According to the USDA, more than 12 million children are living in food
insecure households. School meal programs help but what happens on
weekends and holidays?
36% of households served by the network of food banks include one adult who is employed. 26% of adults, who participated
in the Hunger Study have attended college or technical school. Education is extremely important but sometimes…it’s not enough.

The lack of proper nutrition affects the cognitive and behavioral development of children.
Children from food insecure low-income households are more likely to experience irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating compared to other children. This can make performing in school very difficult.
Rural areas have high poverty rates. In these areas it can be more difficult for food banks to provide emergency assistance and to support food pantries effectively.
According to the USDA, limited resources prevent more than 36 million Americans from getting enough food
THE NEEDY FACE TOUGH CHOICES (Facts from “Hunger in America 2006 - Hawaii Findings”)
32% have had to choose between food and rent or mortgage, 27% between food and medicine or medical needs.
Among households with children, 67% are food insecure, including 31% who are experiencing hunger.