two Part Blog Series by the Kearsarge Food Hub
When you think about hunger, you might think that it’s something that happens in a far away place, something that’s “out there” in the world. The truth of the matter is, hunger is a pervasive problem not just “out there”, but right here at home in New Hampshire.
We rely on organizations like Feeding America, The NH Food Bank, and NH Hunger Solutions to share important information about exactly what hunger looks like throughout the state, who it’s affecting, and the gaps that need to be filled to reduce and ultimately eliminate hunger in our communities.
Did you know that 1 in 15 people and 1 in 12 children experience hunger in New Hampshire? But this isn't just about numbers; it's about the countless individuals on the brink of losing reliable access to the nourishing food they need for a vibrant and healthy existence. These aren't faceless statistics; they're the familiar faces in our neighborhoods, part of our community. It's not some distant issue; it's unfolding right in our midst.
Folks needing a hand putting food on the table here in NH are estimated to report needing an additional $61,604,000 per year to meet their food needs. Any and all effort in bridging this gap and providing essential food resources to neighbors needing a hand benefits not just those receiving food assistance, but entire communities like ours. When neighbors are food insecure- meaning they don’t have access to sufficient food for a healthy, active life - it impacts kids’ abilities to focus in school, places additional burdens on our healthcare system as a community health crisis, increases social tensions and mental health challenges.
Data from Feeding America on the state of hunger in New Hampshire.
Hunger is not a burden to be solved by those experiencing food insecurity.
It is a community health issue that we all have a responsibility to contribute solutions to and make an effort in solving together.
More and more people these days are experiencing food insecurity because of inflation and the increasing cost of living. Rising housing costs, childcare costs that can eat up entire paychecks, high fuel costs, skyrocketing health care and education costs are all adding up to put significant and stressful strain on thousands and thousands of families and individuals.
Many of us feel the impact of this but for some the steep rise in living costs means having to make a choice between food and heat during the winter. Not a choice a parent ever wants to face. Though inflation rates have slowed over recent months, the high cost of essentials, with the rollback of many pandemic aid programs, continue to have a daily impact on people’s wellbeing.
Food insecurity disproportionately affects certain demographics, including children, seniors, folks living in rural communities, and military and veteran families.
In 2023, half of NH households with children reported suffering from insufficient food, as reported from the US Census Bureau Household pulse survey (shown in the graph below). According to the 2020 Census, 19.3% of the New Hampshire population is 65+, and this demographic of seniors are particularly susceptible to food insecurity due to fixed incomes and rising healthcare costs. People living in rural areas may have less access to food assistance programs and may live far from grocery stores that sell healthy, affordable food. According to research conducted by the Military Family Advisory Network in 2022, 1 in 6 military and veteran families were experiencing food insecurity.
This underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues that contribute to food insecurity and ensuring that all individuals have equitable access to nutritious food.
Efforts to combat food insecurity in New Hampshire involve a combination of initiatives, from expanding access to federal nutrition programs (see the 2024 Farm Bill currently in process of being finalized, where a significant of funding is dedicated to food access), supporting local food banks, food pantries and creative food access programs, promoting community gardens, and advocating for policies that address the root causes of hunger.
Raising awareness about the issue and fostering collaboration among government agencies, non-profits, and businesses are crucial steps toward creating sustainable solutions. By working together to implement comprehensive strategies, New Hampshire can make progress in reducing hunger and improving the overall quality of life for its residents.
In part 2 of this series we will look closely at how Kearsarge Food Hub addresses food insecurity in our region.
While you wait for part two, you can participate in our February Food Drive to help more neighbors access foods during the winter months. Come into the market and buy 3+ eligible items to donate to the drive and get 10% off
OR!
donate online here if you can’t make it in.
Thank you!