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Early Childhood Nutrition

Study Shows Impact of Hunger on American Children

Congress is set to debate the Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization bill this autumn—and never before has funding for child hunger relief been so critical. Startling new numbers show that 3.5 million children in America, ages five and under, are food insecure.

A new report—Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005 – 2007—states that food insecurity increased dramatically in many states across the nation during this period, and warns that the risk of hunger for young children is 33 percent higher than the risk for adults. The report also noted that, in states where child hunger is up, local economies have suffered significantly.

The study, sponsored and funded by a grant from the ConAgra Foods Foundation, focused on child hunger and nutrition education. It includes the first ever state-by-state analysis of early childhood hunger using data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Some key findings of the study include the following:

• In 13 states, 20 percent of all young children live on the brink of hunger.
• While one in eight Americans is at risk of hunger, the number rises to one in six for young children.
• Childhood hunger has increased by more than 25 percent in several states.

Researcher John Cook, Ph.D., of the Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, who conducted the analysis, said, “The first three years of life are the most critical period of brain growth and development. Child hunger causes physical and mental impairment that may never be reversed.”

Feeding America advocates are determined to protect our nation’s children during the first few critical years of their lives. With so many children at risk, government funding of Child Nutrition Programs is vital.

Read the complete results of Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005 – 2007.

Feeding America thanks the ConAgra Foods Foundation for their generous funding to make this study possible. The ConAgra Foods Foundation program is the largest corporate initiative solely dedicated to fighting hunger through Feeding America. ConAgra Foods has contributed more than $27 million in funding to the organization since 1993. The ConAgra Foods Foundation also granted 167 trucks to member food banks to help with the transportation of donated food. They have provided grants to open 257 Kids Cafes, which are after-school programs that offer food and a safe haven for children in need nationwide.

Legislative Update

How Does the Federal Budget Support Hunger Relief?

Every five years, lawmakers work together to improve and reauthorize Federal Child Nutrition Programs. As we look toward the Child Nutrition Reauthorization debate coming up this fall, Feeding America is already working to bring the needs of America’s hungry to the attention of lawmakers. This includes working with coalition partners and Hunger Advocates, analyzing budget information, and gathering support for programs vital to member food banks.

On May 4, President Obama’s federal budget details were released in Washington—a budget totaling $3.35 trillion. We are thrilled to see that the President has included a $1 billion funding commitment to new investments for critical hunger programs, but we believe it will take more funding to actually fulfill his pledge of ending child hunger by 2015.

Feeding America is asking lawmakers to include:

• $15 million for Food Bank Infrastructure Grants—authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill but not yet appropriated;
• $100 million for TEFAP storage and distribution grants; to help food banks get food out to agencies that are seeing increased demand;
• Adequate funding for Child Nutrition Programs and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP);
• $4 billion in funding per year in new investments in Child Nutrition Reauthorization.

With the results of the Child Hunger Study showing that 12.5 million children under 18 are at risk of food insecurity, it is more important than ever that Congress dedicates appropriate funding to programs that address the problem of childhood hunger.

You can be sure that Feeding America will be active at all legislative levels as the Childhood Nutrition Reauthorization debate heats up, and we’ll let you know what you can do to take action and let your voice be heard!

Michelle Obama Volunteers for Feeding America

First Lady Joins Jill Biden and 160 Congressional Spouses at Capital Area Food Bank

On Wednesday, April 29, First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and the spouses of 160 Members of Congress spent the day packing lunches for hungry children at the Capital Area Food Bank. The event provided 2,000 bags of food for hungry children in the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Area who participate in the “Weekend Bag Program.” Each bag contained enough food for five meals—food to get a child through the weekend when they do not have access to school meals.

Mrs. Obama has always been a strong advocate for hunger relief.

“I enjoyed working at the Capital Area Food Bank today along with 160 of our Congressional spouses. I hope we will all continue to stay involved, whether it is by donating goods or volunteering our time,” said Mrs. Obama. “The work that these organizations are doing is vital at a time when so many people are struggling financially and needing to depend on food banks and soup kitchens for their daily meals.”

Feeding America appreciates Mrs. Obama’s continued efforts to fight hunger in America. Through her service, she is helping put the spotlight on childhood hunger at a critical time. You can help by encouraging your friends and family to lend their support as well.

Won’t you take a moment to spread the word about Mrs. Obama’s food bank visit?

Just visit the Hunger Action Center and send an email to your friends and family today!