The USDA released a report entitled Household Food Security in the United States in 2010 which stated that 48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households (Feeding America, 2011). According to the statistics released in that report, over 33% of the Americans residing in food insecure homes were children under the age of 18 years. Food insecurity is a large problem, considering the fact that 2010 statistics from the USDA and US census show a staggering 16% of American population living in food insecure homes.
On a local level, during fiscal year 2008-2009, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana provided over 2.8 million pounds of food to 102 shelters, soup kitchens, and food pantries throughout Lake and Porter counties (Fox Chicago, 2011). Current economic hardship has likely contributed to the food insecurity in many working class citizens’ homes. Lake County, for example, has a higher percent living in poverty than Indiana’s average percent poverty (US Census, 2011). As a school located in Lake County, this is an issue that needs to be brought to our students' attention in a way that strikes a chord with them.
References:
Food Bank
http://www.foodbanknwi.org/index.php/hunger/index
Fox Chicago
http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/community/food_drive/hunger_statistics
US Census
http://www.census.gov/popest/data/national/totals/2011/index.html
