In 2004, the USDA found that 11.9 percent of all U.S. households were "food insecure" because of lack of money. This constitutes 13.5 million households. Food Insecurity is the lack of access at all times to enough food for an active and healthy life for all household members.
Food insecurity is on the rise. Since 1999, food insecurity has increased by 3 million households. This included an increase of 1.4 million households with children.
In Philadelphia, more than 16% of all the households with children may be at risk for food insecurity, according to the PHMC Household Survey 2004. In this same survey, it was found that approximately 7,600 infants and toddlers in Philadelphia live in households that may be food insecure. This is an urgent problem. Even in its mildest forms, food insecurity is associated with higher rates of poor health and poor development for very young children. The first three years of life are the most important for brain growth, and cognitive and physical development. Click here for the first C-SNAP Philadelphia CHILD HUNGER REPORT.
To learn more about hunger and the health research related to food insecurity, visit the GROW Project's favorite website/organization: The Food Research and Action Center.
To learn more about Hunger Awareness Day. Visit this website. http://www.hungerday.org/content/index.php
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