Maria (Mafe) Gombi Vaca on LinkedIn: CT’s ‘food insecure’ population rose by 90K in 2022, report finds (2024)

The recent findings by Feeding America, highlighting the stark increase in food insecurity in Connecticut, resonate deeply with the challenges we confront daily at Person to Person. Despite being in one of the wealthiest states, the paradox of rising hunger, especially among children, underscores the critical importance of our mission. As we mobilize resources and expand our reach through our food pantries, including our mobile pantry in Stamford, this report serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for collaboration and sustained effort to ensure no one in our community has to worry about their next meal.https://lnkd.in/ezyTCC44

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We are thrilled to share some enlightening insights from a recent article by Drew DeSilver, published by Pew Research Center, shedding light on the current state of food stamps in the U.S.🔗 Article Link: https://lnkd.in/eMYmnvxdThe article highlights the critical role of food stamps in supporting vulnerable populations and alleviating hunger across the nation. As an organization dedicated to eradicating hunger right here in Westchester County, we at Feeding Westchester firmly believe in the power of such programs to create a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need. Some key takeaways:1️⃣ Food stamps have proven to be a lifeline for millions of Americans, providing essential assistance during challenging times. By offering nutritional support, these programs ensure that families and individuals can access adequate and nourishing food.2️⃣ Despite their effectiveness, food stamps continue to face scrutiny and debate in political and social circles. However, it is essential to remember that supporting such initiatives can make a significant difference in breaking the cycle of hunger and poverty.3️⃣ With the pandemic's impact lingering, the need for food assistance remains high. As Feeding Westchester continues to serve our local community, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fighting food insecurity and providing support to our neighbors in need.Join us in this mission to make a positive change! Together, we can strengthen food access, raise awareness, and advocate for robust programs that combat hunger and promote long-term stability.Together we are Feeding Westchester.

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Health care is so much more than doctor visits, emergency rooms and insurance coverage. Our health and well-being are impacted by what we eat, our physical environment, our finances, and more.I truly love being part of the Humana team, where we focus on the whole person and take steps to help our members address social needs that may be impacting their overall health.Food insecurity is one of the biggest challenges we see, affecting 1 in 10 people in the U.S. For seniors, challenges with access to healthy food can mean an increased risk of diabetes and congestive heart failure.Learn more about what Humana Inc. and the Humana Foundation are doing to address food insecurity and other barriers to healthy living.#HungerActionMonth #HUMemployee

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Anti-hunger advocates are closely watching negotiations over the 2023 Farm Bill.Every five years, #Congress considersthis large piece of legislation- but it doesn't just impact agriculture.The Farm Bill also contains funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or #SNAP - the country's largest food aid program.A deal in Congress to raise the debt ceiling includes increasing work requirements for people receiving SNAP from age 50 to 54.Dawn Pierce - director of government relations and advocacy for the Idaho Hunger Relief Task Force - said people will struggle to meet these requirements for many reasons, including physical and medical issues."If they have to work 'x' amount of hours a week, if they have to do a certain amount of job searches a week," said Pierce, "they're not going to receive their benefit and that's how it makes them hungrier when they raise the work requirements."About 750,000 Americans are at risk of losing food benefits under this potential change - including 2,000 Idahoans -according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Lawmakers are scheduled to start debating the Farm Bill in September.Pierce said we already know what happens when people lose access to food assistance. Hunger was an issue in Idaho before the pandemic, withabout one in ten households struggling to afford meals.But Pierce noted that that between October 2022 and May 2023, food insecurity increased significantly."Hunger rose by 59% between those months," said Pierce. "That's when extra pandemic funds were available but then they just ended and that's what people called the hunger cliff."Pierce said people struggling with food insecurity can callthe U.S. Department of Agriculture National Hunger Hotlineat 866-3-HUNGRY.The hotline helps connect people with their local SNAP office or find a nearby food pantry.

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There is no way to properly put into words how upset I am right now about the sorry state of fairness in the U.S. food system: Without even waiting for the reauthorization of the Farm Bill—which is due in September and only happens every five years—America’s policymakers brought even more suffering to millions of American families this month. Most of the pain will be felt starting in May—when sudden cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (#SNAP) go into effect at an average of $95/person. Just think what that means for a family of four!!😖… At the same time, lawmakers are making proposals for the upcoming Farm Bill to reinforce the corporate welfare system that already exists in Food. We are getting ready, once again, to shamelessly overpamper mega-corporations—despite their windfall profits over the past three years. Very little is being said in the media about the rewards that taxpayers will soon shower on food conglomerates. Most people don’t have the bandwidth to wade through the 1,000+ pages of the Bill. And it’s so confusing that most journalists wouldn’t bother. In any case, for most media outlets, outing the orgy that food conglomerates enjoy might hurt advertising revenue… Anyhow, at least some outlets are paying attention to the plight of the poor as legislators abandon them to hunger. This piece on CNN by Lauren Lee reminds those who are not as close to America’s hunger problem as I am, that we are still in a much deeper crisis than before—ever since COVID-19 came along three years ago. The article contains some painful details about this—citing statements from various experts. However, it’s the kind of desperate cry in the wilderness that I have seen various journalists attempt every time our society decides to sock it to the poor once more… The impact of this kind of reporting has always been zero: People are momentarily touched, but then instantly bounce back to their own lives. This includes policymakers, legislators and regulators who should be able to do something about it… So, as is often the case, Lee goes to the trouble of listing a slew of “resources” for the poor to try… Take a look for yourself to see what those options look like… For me, with 15 years of experience in this space—and knowing first-hand how little these programs actually accomplish in the lives of poor families—I am just left with a sense of deep frustration… All America has managed to do in the 60 years that we have been supposedly waging the “War on Hunger” is give families in poverty a way to be less noisy poor people—who just have to accept who and what we have made them into… After all, America’s capitalism model *needs* a “designated loser class,” right?!… You can ping me privately on this… I know that most of you will not want to discuss this publicly…#foodshortage #foodcrisis #foodsystem #worldhunger #MedicineShortage #Corporategreed #OttoStarzmann

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Working with our feeding network has taught us that while many individuals come to their organizations for food, it is the wrap-around services that truly can change lives. That’s why it’s vital to support the important work of community organizations that address broader issues such as health outcomes, educational attainment and the ability to earn a living wage. Read our recent blog, North Texas Food Bank and Partners: Fighting Food Insecurity in our Communities, at https://lnkd.in/g3yh-TXx.

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Did you know? Food insecurity remains a pressing issue across the USA, affecting millions of families. According to a recent USDA report shared by NPR, nearly 7 million households in the US had to skip meals last year due to financial constraints. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations, many Americans struggle to access nutritious food regularly. From urban centers to rural communities, the lack of affordable, healthy options perpetuates cycles of poverty and health disparities.At City Sprout Farms, we're working towards creating a future where everyone has access to affordable, fresh, and wholesome food. Through the production of our innovative grow houses and by raising awareness about food insecurity in our communities, we're striving for positive change. Together, let's work towards a future where no one goes hungry. 🌱💪Read the article here- https://lnkd.in/g2vsq5PS#sustainableagriculture #SustainableFarming #FutureOfFarming #foodInsecurity #equity #endworldhunger

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🚨 US Food Insecurity on the Rise: A Growing Concern 🍽️ #FoodSecurity📈 A report from the Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service reveals a worrying trend: The number of Americans in food-insecure households has surged from 33.8 million in 2021 to 44.2 million in the last year. 📉🥘🔎 The percentage of households with very low food security also increased from 3.8% to 5.1%. This rise indicates more families struggling to access sufficient and nutritious food. 🍞🥦🌳🌆 Food insecurity is more prevalent in rural areas compared to urban settings. Additionally, Black and Latino households face higher rates of food insecurity. 🏠🍲🤝 Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring that all Americans have access to the food they need for a healthy life. It's a call to action for communities and policymakers. 🤲💡#HungerAwareness #FoodInequality #RuralHealth #SocialJustice 🥗🏘️🌍💪

Dallas Metro News - #DallasMetroNewsAmid a turbulent political climate and looming potential of a government shutdown, the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is bolstering its operations, despite a recent congressional stopgap funding bill ensuring government functionality until mid-November. The peril of a shutdown threatens to hinder crucial nutritional aid programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), alongside delaying salaries for numerous federal employees. With nearly 500 dedicated feeding partners, NTFB is organizing a strong collaborative initiative to prepare for any governmental halt, aiming to mitigate the increased demand for charitable food assistance and disruptions to federal nutrition programs. Government Relations Officer, Clarissa Clarke, emphasized the varying impact of a shutdown based on its duration, underscoring the necessity for preemptive measures and robust community networks in this scenario.https://lnkd.in/ddBSMtSs #Dallas #DallasNews #Texas #TexasNews

#InTheMedia w/ Brit + Co: Food insecurity refers to limited access to nutritious food, disproportionately affecting communities of color due to systemic racism and discriminatory policies. It leads to #healthissues, such as poor diets, chronic illnesses, and mental distress. Non-food insecure individuals can support by advocating for effective policies, volunteering, and raising awareness. It is important to recognize and address the systemic nature of #foodinsecurity."The stress of figuring out where you (and your child’s) next meal will come from & the tension of whether you can pay the rent, or pay for food to feed your family is a real problem for many U.S. households," says Denise Payan.Read more: https://lnkd.in/g6JS2Tpf#nutritioninsecurity #healthandwellness #nutritionmatters #poordiet #chronicillness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawarenessmonth #food

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