🍔 The Looming Hunger Crisis
Even though we are producing more food than ever before
Americans think they don’t go hungry. We’re the wealthiest nation in the world. How is it that we can’t feed everyone in our own country? Yet 1 in 5 Americans experience food insecurity every week. But we pretend it’s not a problem. Even those who sleep hungry every night are socialized to be ashamed to admit it.
Demand for food assistance is soaring
From 2008 - 2010 I spent a lot of time volunteering at food banks in Los Angeles. Some of it was part of the work I did with the Los Angeles Mobile Legal Aid Clinic (LAMLAC - an acronym that just rolls off your tongue) and some was just a way to build community and meet friends.
From the first day I noticed one thing that surprised me: newer models of cars, including luxury brands like Lexus and BMW’s pulling up to receive the week’s groceries. Back then, it was an uncommon enough sight as to draw attention.
Today, it is commonplace.
Today, food banks serve “middle class” Americans - people who are told they are well off, but who really aren’t. People who don’t know they need help.
And food prices are also rising
With record low unemployment and rising wages, you would think hunger in America wouldn’t be a problem for those with jobs … but inflation and rising food costs have wiped out all of those gains.
Most people who get free food already have jobs. They just don’t make enough.
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People who now visit food banks find themselves shocked or surprised at where they find themselves. “I’ve never had to use a food pantry. I’m the one who’s helped people, not the one who needed help,” is a common refrain.
According to the latest report on consumer prices, the cost of food increased 10.4% from a year earlier - the largest 12 month increase since 1981. Wages have not increased by as much … and remember food is just one expense for a family, we aren’t even counting the increase in costs for all other goods and services.
“I’ve never had to use a food pantry. I’m the one who’s helped people, not the one who needed help”
And inflation is affecting food banks as well. Just like consumers, food banks have to spend more to buy food, more on fuel to transport it, and are hard pressed to find labor to staff the food bank itself … all on shrinking budgets and donations.
While volunteers are leaving
When the pandemic hit - the visuals were stunning: lines of hundreds of cars outside food banks and food pantries. The federal government stepped up to help. And so did a lot of ordinary people, many of whom found they had extra money and extra time on their hands. As a result, volunteerism at food pantries surged throughout 2021.
But as unemployment benefits and stimulus checks ran out - food insecurity grew and donations to food banks from previously cash-rich Americans also declined. Then the need for food banks accelerated as inflation increased food prices. And at the same time, volunteers faded away - mostly because record low unemployment meant there were less people with free time to volunteer at food banks.
In the first quarter of 2022 Feeding America (the largest network of food banks in the country) saw donation revenue drop from $151 million to $107 million.
This formula of stagnant wages + rising food costs & inflation + record low unemployment = a looming hunger crisis in this country.
So how do we fix this?
Here’s the crazy part: America produces FAR more food than it consumes … 40% of all food in this country is thrown away. Here are a few simple ways to tackle this problem:
Volunteer at food banks. Make it a family affair. A date. Whatever. Food banks and food pantries need you. Sign up here.
Donate. Donations are dropping and every dollar you give goes farther.
Raise the minimum wage. Advocate to raise what the poorest of us make. The federal minimum wage is $7.75 an hour and was last adjusted in 2008. Is it any wonder people with jobs are going hungry?
Waste less food. Buy imperfect produce. Cook at home. And try to eat those leftovers.
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Amazing piece! Incredibly powerful and such a stark challenge. I’ve put together some data and analysis on counties in America that have the greatest food insecurity and may be facing the largest looming hunger crises: https://americaninequality.substack.com/p/food-deserts-and-inequality