"Unnecessary and unacceptable": Why the American hunger crisis could get worse in 2024
1 year ago

"Unnecessary and unacceptable": Why the American hunger crisis could get worse in 2024

Salon  

Just a few days before Thanksgiving, new data from the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey showed that nearly 28 million people reported experiencing food scarcity in October — both the highest number of 2023 and the highest number recorded by the survey since December 2020. Food insecurity experts deemed that prospect a “looming hunger cliff” — and again and again this year, our country has fallen off the precipice. “Yet, with the 2023 holiday season approaching — in which demand for food banks is expected to surge — only 25% of respondents said they are more likely to donate during this year’s holiday season compared to years past,” the report said. “Those who are donating less to food banks this season cite increasing food and grocery costs as the number one reason driving their decision.” Per the report, this behavior is emerging despite “overwhelming knowledge among respondents that food insecurity is a growing concern.” Eighty-five percent of the survey respondents indicated they believed food insecurity levels increased since the COVID-19, with 63% believing that the U.S. is “significantly more food insecure” than the latest USDA data shows. In a recent interview with USA Today, Susannah Morgan, president of Oregon Food Bank, described the situation as the “the logical result of 40 years of dire economic inequality.” "This is the worst rate of hunger in my career," said Morgan, who has worked at food banks in Boston, San Francisco and Anchorage, Alaska.

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History of this topic

UN food agency says 40 million people are struggling to feed themselves in West and Central Africa
4 days, 1 hour ago

UN food agency says 40 million people are struggling to feed themselves in West and Central Africa

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 40 million people are now struggling to feed themselves across West and Central Africa with that number set to rise to 52 million by the middle of next year, the United Nations food agency said Friday. According to a new report released Friday, the World Food Program said 3.4 million people are currently facing “emergency …

Struggling Aussies forced to choose between buying medication or groceries as cost of living crisis continues to bite
4 months, 1 week ago

Struggling Aussies forced to choose between buying medication or groceries as cost of living crisis continues to bite

Daily Mail  

Families battling the cost-of-living crisis are going hungry waiting for an inquiry into Victoria's food security to report its findings, advocates say. About a third of almost 180 submissions to a Victorian inquiry into food security came from struggling families, Sustain: The Australian Food Network executive director Nick Rose said. About one in three Australians faces moderate to severe food …

Drive to eliminate global hunger by 2030 has stalled, UN warns
5 months ago

Drive to eliminate global hunger by 2030 has stalled, UN warns

Al Jazeera  

About 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 due to conflicts, climate change and economic crises, a UN report says. A goal to eliminate global hunger by 2030 looks increasingly impossible to achieve as the number of people suffering chronic hunger has barely changed over the past year, a UN report says. The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition …

As the American hunger crisis worsens, Republicans prepare to take a big bite out of SNAP
7 months, 1 week ago

As the American hunger crisis worsens, Republicans prepare to take a big bite out of SNAP

Salon  

On Valentine’s Day, during a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee, Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, a Republican from Pennsylvania, proposed a funding framework for the Farm Bill that included a $30 billion cut in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits over the next decade. The proposal would limit future updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, which is used by the United …

282 million faced acute hunger in 2023, worst hit in Gaza
7 months, 4 weeks ago

282 million faced acute hunger in 2023, worst hit in Gaza

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — Nearly 282 million people in 59 countries suffered from acute hunger in 2023, with war-torn Gaza as the territory with the largest number of people facing famine, according to the Global Report on Food Crises released Wednesday. The U.N. report said 24 million more people faced an acute lack of food than in 2022, due to the …

U.N. report says 282 million people faced acute hunger in 2023, with the worst famine in Gaza
7 months, 4 weeks ago

U.N. report says 282 million people faced acute hunger in 2023, with the worst famine in Gaza

LA Times  

Nearly 282 million people in 59 countries suffered from acute hunger in 2023, with war-torn Gaza as the territory with the largest number of people facing famine, according to the Global Report on Food Crises released Wednesday. The United Nations report said 24 million more people faced an acute lack of food than in 2022, because of the sharp deterioration …

About 282 million people faced acute hunger last year: UN-led report
8 months ago

About 282 million people faced acute hunger last year: UN-led report

Al Jazeera  

Gaza, Sudan and other conflicts – along with extreme weather and economic shocks – worsened food insecurity, says new report calling the global outlook ‘bleak’ for this year. Food insecurity worsened around the world in 2023, with about 282 million people suffering from acute hunger due to conflicts, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, according to United Nations agencies and development …

Famine by February: How bad is Gaza’s hunger crisis under Israeli attacks?
1 year ago

Famine by February: How bad is Gaza’s hunger crisis under Israeli attacks?

Al Jazeera  

Weeks of restricted access to food in the Gaza Strip have culminated in severe hunger and growing risks of famine in the besieged enclave. Since early October, Israeli attacks across Gaza have damaged local bakeries and food warehouses, along with roads that are used to transport humanitarian aid. More than 90 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is facing high …

Charities warn ‘pandemic of poverty’ has engulfed UK as record 1.5 million emergency parcels handed out
1 year, 1 month ago

Charities warn ‘pandemic of poverty’ has engulfed UK as record 1.5 million emergency parcels handed out

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Charities have said a “pandemic of poverty” has engulfed the …

Seventeen million households in the US face food insecurity as hunger surges
1 year, 1 month ago

Seventeen million households in the US face food insecurity as hunger surges

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy One million more families …

Food insecurity shot up last year with inflation and the end of pandemic-era aid, a new report says
1 year, 1 month ago

Food insecurity shot up last year with inflation and the end of pandemic-era aid, a new report says

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — An estimated 17 million households reported problems finding enough food in 2022 — a sharp jump from 2021 when boosted government aid helped ease the pandemic-induced economic shutdown. Wednesday’s report by the USDA’s Economic Research Service also tracks families with “very low food security” — a condition it defines as families having to ration food consumption and where …

Food insecurity is estimated to have reached almost 4 million Australian homes this year
1 year, 2 months ago

Food insecurity is estimated to have reached almost 4 million Australian homes this year

ABC  

Avocados aren't typically associated with epiphanies — but it was while shopping for fresh fruit and veg that Vanessa Newell was struck by an unwanted realisation. Key points: As many as 3.7 million Australian households are estimated to have confronted concerning levels of food insecurity Among those impacted is Seaford resident Vanessa Newell, who suddenly found herself making difficult choices …

More than 700 million people don't know when — or if — they will eat again, UN food chief says
1 year, 3 months ago

More than 700 million people don't know when — or if — they will eat again, UN food chief says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain told the …

UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase
1 year, 3 months ago

UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase

Associated Press  

ROME — The World Food Program warned Tuesday that humanitarian funding cuts by governments are forcing the U.N. agency to drastically cut food rations to the world’s hungriest people, with each 1% cut in aid risking to push 400,000 people toward starvation. The agency said the more than 60% funding shortfall this year was the highest in WFP’s 60-year history …

UN says it's forced to cut food aid to millions globally because of a funding crisis
1 year, 4 months ago

UN says it's forced to cut food aid to millions globally because of a funding crisis

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The United Nations has been …

UN Talks Seek to Fix 'Broken' Global Food System
1 year, 4 months ago

UN Talks Seek to Fix 'Broken' Global Food System

News 18  

A three-day United Nations summit opened in Rome on Monday aimed at tackling a “broken” global food system where millions are starving, two billion are overweight or obese and the planet is suffering. The food systems summit comes amid growing food insecurity around the world, with UN agencies warning of an increasing number of people suffering from chronic hunger. “Global …

Explained | What has to be done to get to Zero Hunger?
1 year, 5 months ago

Explained | What has to be done to get to Zero Hunger?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The Global Report on the Food Crises 2023 released recently estimated that between 691 million and 783 million people in the world suffered from hunger in 2022. The GRFC is produced by the Food Security Information Network in support of the Global Network against Food Crises, and involves 16 partners to achieve a joint consensus-based assessment …

College students struggling with hunger face potential loss of food stamp benefits
1 year, 5 months ago

College students struggling with hunger face potential loss of food stamp benefits

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Raised on welfare by his grandmother, Joseph Sais relied so much on food stamps as a college student that he thought about quitting school when his eligibility was revoked. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sais said, he missed an “important letter” and temporarily lost his eligibility in SNAP, the foundational anti-poverty program commonly known as food …

UN: Millions left with no aid as West Africa suffers worst hunger crisis in 10 years
1 year, 5 months ago

UN: Millions left with no aid as West Africa suffers worst hunger crisis in 10 years

Associated Press  

ABUJA, Nigeria — The U.N. World Food Program said Wednesday that millions of hungry people in West Africa are without aid as the agency struggles with limited funding to respond to the region’s worst hunger crisis in a decade. During this year’s lean season, millions of families will lack sufficient food reserves to sustain them until the next harvests in …

Millions left with no aid as West Africa suffers worst hunger crisis in 10 years, U.N. says
1 year, 5 months ago

Millions left with no aid as West Africa suffers worst hunger crisis in 10 years, U.N. says

LA Times  

The U.N. World Food Program said Wednesday that millions of hungry people in West Africa are without aid as the agency struggles with limited funding to respond to the region’s worst hunger crisis in a decade. During this year’s lean season, millions of families will lack sufficient food reserves to sustain them until the next harvests in September,” said Margot …

Just in case: Anxious retirees, social service groups among those making default contingency plans
1 year, 6 months ago

Just in case: Anxious retirees, social service groups among those making default contingency plans

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Phoenix retiree Saundra Cole has been watching the news about the debt limit negotiations in Washington with dismay — and limiting her air conditioning use to save money just in case her monthly Social Security check is delayed due to a default. Robert Gault, 63, who depends on a $1,900 monthly Social Security disability payment, says an economic …

US families struggle following end of pandemic-era food benefits
1 year, 7 months ago

US families struggle following end of pandemic-era food benefits

Al Jazeera  

The US Congress has cut back expanded COVID-era food assistance benefits, creating strain for some low-income families. “Truly, it was.” But in December, Congress passed a spending bill that ended the expanded food benefits, known as emergency allotments, after February. “My son is eating solid food now, but I have to hold back because the benefits don’t last through the …

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022
1 year, 7 months ago

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022

Associated Press  

ROME — More than a quarter-billion people in 58 countries faced acute food insecurity last year because of conflicts, climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to a report published Wednesday. The report found that that the number of people facing acute food insecurity and requiring urgent food aid — 258 million — …

'Such cowards': GOP blasted over bill targeting food aid for the poor
1 year, 9 months ago

'Such cowards': GOP blasted over bill targeting food aid for the poor

Raw Story  

More than a dozen House Republicans are expected to release legislation Tuesday that would impose more harsh work requirements on certain recipients of federal food aid, a clear signal that the GOP intends to target nutrition assistance in critical debt ceiling, budget, and farm bill talks. Dusty Johnson, the measure would "expand the age bracket for able-bodied recipients without dependents, …

Pandemic food benefits are ending for millions of Californians. Now what?
1 year, 9 months ago

Pandemic food benefits are ending for millions of Californians. Now what?

LA Times  

Nearly 3 million households in California will stop receiving extra federal food benefits granted during the COVID-19 pandemic, a squeeze on budgets that comes as people continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. Since March 2020, low-income Californians have seen an increase in CalFresh benefits, the state’s version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly …

US ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID
1 year, 10 months ago

US ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID

Associated Press  

Nearly 30 million Americans who got extra government help with grocery bills during the pandemic will soon see that aid shrink — and there’s a big push to make sure they’re not surprised. “One of the scenarios you don’t want to see is the first time they’re aware of it is in the checkout line at the grocery store,” said …

US ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID
1 year, 10 months ago

US ending extra help for groceries that started during COVID

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “One of the scenarios you don’t want to …

Growing numbers of people in Asia lack enough to eat as food insecurity rises with higher prices: Food and Agricultural Organization’s report
1 year, 11 months ago

Growing numbers of people in Asia lack enough to eat as food insecurity rises with higher prices: Food and Agricultural Organization’s report

The Hindu  

Growing numbers of people in Asia lack enough to eat as food insecurity rises with higher prices and worsening poverty, according to a report released on January 24 by the Food and Agricultural Organization and other United Nations agencies. Nearly a half-billion people, more than eight in 10 of them in South Asia, were undernourished in 2021 and more than …

FAO: Rising prices, food insecurity add to ranks of hungry
1 year, 11 months ago

FAO: Rising prices, food insecurity add to ranks of hungry

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Growing numbers of people in Asia lack enough to eat as food insecurity rises with higher prices and worsening poverty, according to a report released Tuesday by the Food and Agricultural Organization and other United Nations agencies. Nearly a half-billion people, more than eight in 10 of them in South Asia, were undernourished in 2021 and more than …

Inflation bites: How rising food costs affect nutrition and health
1 year, 11 months ago

Inflation bites: How rising food costs affect nutrition and health

Salon  

Food for thought: Rising grocery prices affect food choices and nutrition, and ultimately health, and even the health care system. As health behavior researchers, we believe that many Canadians will undoubtedly feel the additional financial pressure at the checkout line, and many will eat less nutritious and cheaper food options. Research has shown that increased household food insecurity is strongly …

How can we end the hunger pandemic?
2 years ago

How can we end the hunger pandemic?

Al Jazeera  

As 2022 comes to a close, we are facing a food crisis worse than any other in recent memory. The combined consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change, from disrupted supply chains and soaring inflation to extreme weather events, gradually left millions of people all over the world unable to put food on their tables. …

UN: Thousands in West, Central Africa could face starvation
2 years ago

UN: Thousands in West, Central Africa could face starvation

Associated Press  

DAKAR, Senegal — More than 25,000 people could face starvation in conflict-plagued parts of West Africa next year, a United Nations official warned Friday. Federico Doehnert of the World Food Program said violence and the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine are largely driving the threat to people in Nigeria, Mali and Burkina Faso. “One …

Higher food prices worsen hunger crisis this holiday season
2 years ago

Higher food prices worsen hunger crisis this holiday season

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Staffers at Bread for the City, a venerable charity in the nation’s capital, thought they were prepared for this year’s annual pre-Thanksgiving Holiday Helpers food giveaway. Altfest said the level of community need remains 50% to 70% higher than pre-pandemic levels, and about 30% of calls to the food bank’s emergency helpline are from first-time callers. “That was …

New report: A record 4.7 million Haitians face acute hunger
2 years, 2 months ago

New report: A record 4.7 million Haitians face acute hunger

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — A record 4.7 million people in Haiti are facing acute hunger, including 19,000 in catastrophic famine conditions for the first time, all in a slum controlled by gangs in the capital, according to a report released Friday. The U.N. World Food Program and Food and Agriculture Organization said unrelenting crises have trapped Haitians “in a cycle of …

Biden plans to expand benefits to help end hunger in the US
2 years, 2 months ago

Biden plans to expand benefits to help end hunger in the US

Al Jazeera  

About 10 percent of American households in 2021 suffered food insecurity, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The Biden administration is laying out its plan to meet an ambitious goal of ending hunger in the United States by 2030, including expanding monthly benefits that help low-income Americans buy food. “The consequences of food insecurity and diet-related diseases are significant, …

US: 48 exploited pandemic to steal $250M from food program
2 years, 3 months ago

US: 48 exploited pandemic to steal $250M from food program

Associated Press  

MINNEAPOLIS — United States authorities charged 48 people in Minnesota with conspiracy and other counts in what they said Tuesday was the largest pandemic-related fraud scheme yet, stealing $250 million from a federal program that provides meals to low-income children. Federal prosecutors say the defendants created companies that claimed to be offering food to tens of thousands of children across …

UN warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation
2 years, 3 months ago

UN warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. food chief warned Thursday that the world is facing “a global emergency of unprecedented magnitude,” with up to 345 million people marching toward starvation — and 70 million pushed closer to starvation by the war in Ukraine. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told the U.N. Security Council that the 345 …

Why UN global hunger report figures are staggering: 150 million added post Covid
2 years, 5 months ago

Why UN global hunger report figures are staggering: 150 million added post Covid

Hindustan Times  

Even since coronavirus hit the world, over 150 million people have been added to the list of those affected by hunger, a new report by the United Nations has revealed. The goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition by 2030 remains a far cry with the latest UN global hunger report revealing that 828 million people - across the …

UN: 2.3 billion people severely or moderately hungry in 2021
2 years, 5 months ago

UN: 2.3 billion people severely or moderately hungry in 2021

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The spike in food, fuel and fertilizer prices sparked by the war in Ukraine is threatening to push countries around the world into famine, bringing “global destabilization, starvation and mass migration on an unprecedented scale,” a top U.N. official warned Wednesday. David Beasley, head of the U.N. World Food Program, said its latest analysis shows that “a …

World hunger rising as UN agencies warn of ‘looming catastrophe’
2 years, 5 months ago

World hunger rising as UN agencies warn of ‘looming catastrophe’

Al Jazeera  

Up to 828 million people, or nearly 10 percent of the world’s population, were affected by hunger last year: UN report. World hunger levels rose again last year after soaring in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ukraine war coupled with climate change now threaten starvation and mass migration on an “unprecedented scale” this year, according to UN …

Investors cash in on food commodities as the poor go hungry
2 years, 6 months ago

Investors cash in on food commodities as the poor go hungry

The Hindu  

Published : Jun 03, 2022 15:46 IST Rising consumer prices are aggravating food shortages around the globe, and investors looking to make a buck off food commodities could be making matters worse. “In Uganda, wheat and fuel prices have skyrocketed, making everyday goods like bread almost unaffordable to an ordinary citizen,” Anna Slattery, external affairs manager at The Hunger Project, …

UN: 18 million facing severe hunger in West Africa’s Sahel
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: 18 million facing severe hunger in West Africa’s Sahel

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The U.N. is warning that 18 million people in Africa’s Sahel region face severe hunger in the next three months, citing the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic, climate-induced shocks and rising costs. The largest number of people are at risk of severe hunger across the region since 2014, and four countries — Burkina Faso, …

High inflation leaves food banks struggling to meet needs
2 years, 7 months ago

High inflation leaves food banks struggling to meet needs

Associated Press  

Kendall Nunamaker and her family of five in Kennewick, Washington, faced impossible math this month: How to pay for gas, groceries and the mortgage with inflation driving up prices? “At some point,” Nunamaker said, “we’re not going to have anything because we would have sold everything.” So Nunamaker and her husband visited two local food banks for the first time …

UN: Record Number Of People Without Enough To Eat In 2021
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: Record Number Of People Without Enough To Eat In 2021

Huff Post  

The United Nations headquarters in New York on March 17, 2022. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images ROME — The United Nations said Wednesday that the number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis reached all-time high last year and is poised to hit “appalling” new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production. The U.N. said …

UN: Record 193 million people faced food insecurity in 2021
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: Record 193 million people faced food insecurity in 2021

Al Jazeera  

Nearly 193 million people in 53 countries faced acute food insecurity in 2021, a jump of 40 million compared with 2020. The number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis has reached an all-time high last year and is poised to hit “appalling” new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production, the United Nations said. …

As a result of COVID-19, more people are experiencing food insecurity — and community services are stepping in to help
2 years, 7 months ago

As a result of COVID-19, more people are experiencing food insecurity — and community services are stepping in to help

ABC  

Annette Formosa never thought she would need to rely on her local community in Sydney's western suburbs to ensure there was enough food on the table. Key points: One in six Australian adults experienced food insecurity in 2021, according to Foodbank Of those, almost 40 per cent had not experienced food insecurity prior to the COVID-19 pandemic Community services in …

Feed more hungry people for less money– help them plant
2 years, 8 months ago

Feed more hungry people for less money– help them plant

Hindustan Times  

A few weeks ago, we all woke up to a global milieu that we thought belonged to history. Now, with war impacting a major global breadbasket that supplies many regions with staple food exports, international food commodities markets –themselves already suffering a stiff hangover after two years of the pandemic’s knock-on effects – are being disrupted even further. That millions …

US food banks struggle to feed hungry amid surging prices
3 years, 1 month ago

US food banks struggle to feed hungry amid surging prices

Associated Press  

OAKLAND, Calif. — U.S. food banks already dealing with increased demand from families sidelined by the pandemic now face a new challenge — surging food prices and supply chain issues walloping the nation. Food banks that expanded to meet unprecedented demand brought on by the pandemic won’t be able to absorb forever food costs that are two to three times …

Government failed to measure scale of hunger to tailor its responses: Experts
3 years, 2 months ago

Government failed to measure scale of hunger to tailor its responses: Experts

The Hindu  

While the Government has launched a scathing attack against the publishers of the Global Hunger Index for India’s poor ranking, experts argue that not only were steps taken by the Government to check rising levels of hunger in a pandemic year inadequate, it also failed to measure the scale of hunger to tailor its responses. It also enumerated various schemes …

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