Feeding America - Hunger News

New Report Focuses On Economic Toll Of Child Hunger

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:03:00 GMT

The direct and indirect effect of child hunger in the U.S. is a contributing factor to the nation’s economic woes and puts America at a competitive disadvantage, according to a new report issued today by Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization.

Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact On Our Nation, a report on research on the impact of food insecurity and hunger on child health, growth and development, details the economic effect of child hunger in the United States. It articulates the lifelong consequences child food insecurity has on individuals and families. (Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access at times to enough food for an active, healthy life; or limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.)

The report states that the U.S. economy is losing its competitive edge to countries doing a better job of addressing nutrition and food insecurity in preparing children to learn and achieve their full potential. The report was funded with a grant from the ConAgra Foods Foundation.

“Child hunger is robbing us of the best of America’s imagination and ingenuity,” saidthe report’s author, John Cook, Ph.D., of the Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, a nationally-recognized expert on child hunger. “Sustainable economic recovery depends on freeing children of the burden of hunger and malnutrition and supporting their optimal growth and development.”

“The impact of child hunger is more far reaching than one might anticipate. Child food insecurity creates billions of dollars in costs to our society. Child hunger affects a child’s health, education and job readiness,” said Cook. “Our best universities are graduating more students from other countries and fewer from the U.S. because we are failing to prepare our children to learn and develop their best skills, creativity and abilities.”

According to the USDA, 12.4 million American children--one in six--are food insecure. One in five children under the age of five live at risk of hunger in 13 states.

“This is the first report to show the direct, tax-payer burden inflicted by child hunger – along with a clear link to long-term impacts, such as life-time earnings and the ripple effects through our economy,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “It calls into question whether ongoing economic recovery can be sustained if child hunger is not eliminated; we can only achieve a prosperous future for all Americans if we ensure, right now, that all children have access to enough nutritious food for active, healthy lives.”

“It is also important to note in this context, however, that the Federal Government plays a very significant role in providing food to children at risk of hunger. The recent stimulus bills and increases in funding for USDA nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program), and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) have made great strides in ensuring that more low-income children and their families have increased access to food. The Federal Government is the largest provider of food to at-risk children,” Escarra said.

Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact On Our Nation explains how a hungry child becomes a diminished adult, and a burden to society. Some of the report’s summary findings include:

· Child hunger first causes health problems:

Hungry children are sick more often, more likely to be hospitalized, and to suffer physical, emotional and developmental impairment.

· Child hunger then creates educational problems:

Under-nutrition before the age of three fundamentally changes the neurological architecture of the brain and central nervous system, harming a child’s ability to learn. Hungry children have lower academic achievement.

· Child hunger leads to workforce and job readiness problems:

Adults who experienced hunger as children are not well prepared mentally, emotionally, physically or socially to perform in contemporary work environments. Child hunger leads to greater absenteeism and turnover in the work place.

“The report’s sobering statistics serve as a wake-up call to the price we pay when even one child goes hungry in the United States,” said Chris Kircher, president, ConAgra Foods Foundation. “Through our partnership with Feeding America on this research, we’re building on ConAgra’s long-standing commitment to raise awareness of the issue of child hunger and keep it at the forefront of the national agenda to inspire action.”

The ConAgra Foods Foundation also partnered with Feeding America to recently publish the first-ever, state-by-state analysis of child food insecurity and hunger. ConAgra Foods’ 15-year partnership with Feeding America is the largest corporate initiative solely dedicated to fighting child hunger. The company has donated more than $27 million and more than 200 million pounds of food to Feeding America since 1993.

“Knowledge is as powerful as food in the fight against child hunger,” added Escarra. “The ConAgra Foods Foundation deserves credit for understanding this. Their leadership in this area is an example of how the private sector can mobilize resources to heighten public awareness and perception of the interrelated issues, root causes and effects of child hunger. Their efforts make us all stronger advocates, and are critical to helping us all find sustainable solutions to this problem.”

Dr. Cook concludes, “There has not been adequate attention paid to the role child food insecurity plays in impeding economic growth. This report clearly makes the case that children are a fundamental engine of growth in the economy, and all children in the U.S. must be adequately nourished. If we fail, not only does the child suffer, but our society does as well.”

The report is available at www.feedingamerica.org/recovery

President Obama Joins Feeding America And Other Leading Charities In The “United We Serve” Backpack Project

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:04:00 GMT

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama today joined hundreds of Congressional family members, Feeding America and four additional national nonprofit organizations at Ft. McNair in Washington DC to prepare 15,000 backpacks with books, healthy snacks, Frisbees and other items for the children of servicemen and women.

The event is part of “United We Serve,” President Obama's call to Americans to engage in service projects and create meaningful impact in their towns and communities. The initiative is being led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency dedicated to fostering service in communities across the country.

“Knowing that we’re able to help families of those individuals defending our country at home and abroad is incredibly powerful,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. “While these service members honor their duty, we can honor them and their families by helping those people who don’t know always know where they will find their next meal.”

People around the country can also participate in the “United We Serve” Summer of Service Campaign by taking part in Feeding America’s “Fill America’s Fridge Virtual Food Drive,” with the goal of providing at least one million meals to those in need.

“The economy has sent shockwaves through households across the country, challenging food banks to keep up with rising demand,” said Escarra. “Due to the efficiency of Feeding America’s network of food banks, making a donation to Feeding America is the best way to make the biggest impact in the fight against hunger. “

“With one in eight Americans struggling with the issue of hunger, this campaign is a phenomenal way for people across the country to get involved with a national issue on a local level,” added Escarra.

In addition to participating in the virtual food drive supporters can also pledge to volunteer with their local food bank or become a hunger advocate during the summer months and all year round. To participate in Feeding America’s Fill America’s Fridge Virtual Food Drive or to learn more about other ways to help American’s in need, visit www.feedingamerica.org/serve.

FOR PRESS ONLY: For more information on the United We Serve Event at Ft. McNair or the “Fill America’s Fridge Virtual Food Drive,” please contact Melissa Baer at 212-691-2800 or baer@sunshinesachs.com.

Ertharin Cousin named US Ambassador to United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:31:00 GMT

On Friday, June 19, President Barack Obama named Ertharin Cousin to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Rome-based U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture. A long-standing advocate for hunger-relief programs, Ambassador Cousin served Feeding America as a Board Member (2002-2004) and Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer (2004-2006).

“Ambassador Ertharin Cousin has been and will continue to be a leading advocate for hungry people in the United States and around the world,” said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of Feeding America. “As a leader within Feeding America, Ambassador Cousin vastly accelerated visibility of domestic hunger with heartfelt passion and tireless determination.”

Prior to her work with Feeding America, Ambassador Cousin served as a board member for International Food and Agriculture Development (1997-2000). Her professional experiences in retail food have included assignments as Senior Vice President Public Affairs, Albertsons Foods (2001-2004); Group Vice President Public Affairs, Albertsons Foods (1999-2001); and Vice-President Government and Community Affairs, Jewel Food stores (1997-1999). During her service as White House Liaison at the State Department (1994-1996), Cousin was awarded the Meritorious Service Award.

“I am fully confident that Ambassador Cousin will advance international programming that will help nourish the world with her exceptional enthusiasm and commitment,” Escarra said. “She remains one of the great hunger-relief advocates of our time, and we applaud President Obama for choosing her. We send Ambassador Cousin our congratulations and pledge Feeding America’s national support in helping hungry families not only to survive, but thrive.”

Kellogg Company and Katalyst Media Join Forces to Confront Hunger in the United States

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:22:00 GMT

Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) today announced a transformational partnership with Katalyst, a studio for social media co-founded by Ashton Kutcher (www.twitter.com/aplusk) and Jason Goldberg. The partnership will raise awareness of the growing hunger epidemic in the United States and encourage consumers to donate to Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger relief organization, at the KelloggCares Facebook(R) Page at www.facebook.com/kelloggcares. Recent reports show that one in eight Americans is struggling with hunger, and food banks across the country are challenged to keep up with rising demand.

As part of its ongoing commitment to fight hunger, Kellogg teamed up with Katalyst to spotlight the issue through a new online video, directed by Demi Moore (www.twitter.com/mrskutcher). The video can be found on the KelloggCares Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/kelloggcares. It features user-generated content submitted by consumers moved to end hunger following requests that @aplusk (Ashton Kutcher) and @mrskutcher (Demi Moore) posted on their respective Twitter feeds and Facebook Pages.

"We are grateful to be working with Kellogg on such a meaningful project and excited to be creating people-powered content for social media networks as a powerful tool for change," said Kutcher, co-founder of Katalyst. "Innovative partnerships like this one demonstrate the good that companies can do when resources are pooled. The Katalyst team has been inspired by the thousands of voices that have emerged on Twitter, YouTube, Facebook and other social media platforms dedicated to ending hunger in America."

The goal of the video is to reach Americans through social media channels and encourage them to work together to help replenish food banks and feed the hungry by making donations to Feeding America. On the KelloggCares Facebook Page, consumers can become a fan, make a monetary donation to Feeding America and find out about other ways they can help fight hunger in their local communities.

"Hunger is an issue that often gets overlooked, especially here in the United States. Having food readily available is something that we too easily can take for granted. And yet we know, especially in these times, that many people in the United States go to bed hungry. That's why it's critical that we come together to shed light on the issue," said Moore. "The collective spirit of the American people can do extraordinary things. It is our hope that this video and partnership with Kellogg Company will draw attention to this important issue and help make a difference for the 36 million Americans struggling with hunger."

Kellogg hopes that by reaching consumers where they get much of their information - via the social web - it will engage even more people in the fight against hunger.

"Facebook gives people the power to share and connect around issues that are important to them," said Tom Arrix, Vice President of U.S. Sales at Facebook. "We are proud to be working with Kellogg and Katalyst to raise awareness for hunger, an issue that affects millions of people everyday, and giving Facebook users an interactive and unique way to engage on this important issue."

In addition to being available on the KelloggCares Facebook Page, the video will be distributed through a number of other social media channels to increase awareness of hunger and encourage donations. Katalyst will help distribute the video through the company's online social networks, and Kellogg will include information about this initiative on tens of millions of Kellogg's cereal boxes later this year.

"We are excited to partner with Kellogg Company, a longstanding supporter of Feeding America, in this important campaign to grow awareness and engagement in the fight against domestic hunger," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "Tremendous strides have been made, but as the support in the fight against hunger grows, so does the demand for food. No American should go hungry and there is always more that can be done. We are grateful to Kellogg for their leadership and dedication to our cause."

This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment from Kellogg Company to help fight hunger. In April, the Company announced that it is donating an entire day's worth of cereal production - more than 55 million cereal servings - to Feeding America. The donation of 3.5 million pounds of cereal is worth approximately $10 million.

"Kellogg Company is deeply committed to fighting hunger," said David Mackay, president and CEO, Kellogg Company. "Through this innovative, new initiative, we hope that we will engage even more consumers who will join us by giving what they can to Feeding America."

Kellogg Company has been a committed donor to Feeding America since they were founded. Over the past 10 years, Kellogg has donated more than 224 million pounds of food to Feeding America. Over the last five years, Kellogg has contributed more than $40 million in cash and $120 million in product to various charitable organizations around the world. For more information on Kellogg Company's Corporate Responsibility efforts, please visit www.kelloggcompany.com/CR.

Kellogg Company And Samantha Harris Help Fight Hunger With Feeding America

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:14:00 GMT

Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) announced today that it is teaming up with Samantha Harris – correspondent and fill-in anchor of CBS' The Insider – to announce a special program that makes it easier for consumers to help feed those in need. Recent reports show that one in eight Americans is struggling with hunger and food banks across the country are challenged to keep up with rising demand. Food bank network agencies are seeing an average increase of 30 percent in the need for food assistance.

Beginning today, consumers can visit www.kelloggs.com/feedingamerica to make a donation to Feeding America, the nation’s leading hunger relief organization. For consumer donations of $5 or more, Kellogg will reward them with Kellogg’s cereal coupons worth a total of $5.

This initiative is part of an ongoing commitment from Kellogg Company to help fight hunger. In April, the Company announced that it is donating an entire day’s worth of cereal production – more than 55 million cereal servings – to Feeding America. Today, Kellogg is kicking off the donation in New York. Samantha Harris will present the very first box of cereal at the Food Bank for New York City’s Community Kitchen of West Harlem.

“More than 36 million Americans – including 12 million children – don’t have enough food to go around at mealtime, so I’m grateful that I can help Kellogg make a difference,” Harris said. “Kellogg truly is dedicated to this cause. I think it’s extraordinary that they not only made such a significant donation, but they’re also making it easier for people to pitch in. I encourage others to follow their lead and give what they can.”

Feeding America relies on the donations of consumers to help feed Americans in need.

“Kellogg Company has been a committed supporter of Feeding America, and it’s no surprise that during this critical time of need they are taking a leading role in helping make a difference and encouraging consumers to join them in the fight against hunger,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “Cereal is especially needed at food banks because it is convenient, shelf stable and nutritious. Kellogg’s dedication to providing cereal to those in need is truly admirable.”

The consumer donation program will run for three months or until we reach our goal of $1 million in total consumer donations, and distribute coupons to 200,000 consumers.

“I’m hopeful that this donation will make a significant impact for families in need across America,” said David Mackay, president and CEO, Kellogg Company. “Not only do we feel that it’s our responsibility to give back to those who have been hit hard by the economic downturn, but we’re also trying to provide others with the opportunity to help this important cause.”

Since Feeding America was founded, Kellogg Company has been a committed donor, donating more than 224 million pounds of food over the past 10 years. The most recent donation of 3.5 million pounds of cereal is worth approximately $10 million and amounts to more than 55 million cereal servings.

Over the last five years, Kellogg has contributed more than $40 million in cash and $120 million in product to various charitable organizations around the world. For more information on Kellogg Company's Corporate Responsibility efforts, please visit www.kelloggcompany.com/CR

Microsoft and Feeding America Join Forces to Fight Hunger

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

More than 17 million children in the U.S. receive free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch at their local public schools; as schools close for the summer, these children lose access to those programs. In response, Microsoft Corp. and Feeding America are joining forces to fight hunger in the United States through the “Browser for the Better” campaign. For every completed download of Internet Explorer 8, Microsoft’s Browser for the Better campaign (running today through Aug. 8, 2009*) will donate the financial equivalent of eight meals to Feeding America’s network of 206 local food banks, which supplies food to more than 25 million Americans each year.

“This summer, millions of families throughout the U.S. are living on the brink of hunger. Demand for food is higher than it has been in decades. The Browser for the Better campaign is both raising awareness of hunger and giving people an easy opportunity to help their neighbors at no cost to them. It’s a win-win arrangement for Microsoft, Feeding America and people all across the country,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

The Browser for the Better campaign kicks off today at New York City’s Time Warner Center and San Francisco’s Justin Herman Plaza. Artists at each location will use food cans to sculpt the likenesses of the Empire State Building and Golden Gate Bridge, respectively. Once the sculptures are completed, the cans of food will be donated to the Food Bank for New York City, City Harvest in New York, and the San Francisco Food Bank, all members of Feeding America. Also part of the campaign is a series of viral videos starring television star Dean Cain and directed by comedian Bobcat Goldthwait highlighting features of Internet Explorer 8.

“Our customers have told us they want to have an impact in the lives of their friends and neighbors,” said Amy Barzdukas, senior director for Internet Explorer at Microsoft. “The Browser for the Better campaign is all about making it easy for people to make a real difference. Not only are they contributing to their community, they’re getting a more secure, modern browser designed for the way people browse the Internet today.”

The Browser for the Better campaign features the better browser, Internet Explorer 8. Launched in March, Internet Explorer 8 offers leading-edge security features in addition to ease of use and improved performance. A recent NSS Labs study shows Internet Explorer 8 as being No. 1 among all modern browsers in malware protection, and the built-in privacy protections in Internet Explorer 8 offer users more choice and control. More information about Browser for the Better and Internet Explorer 8 is available at http://browserforthebetter.com.

Record 73.4 Million Pounds Collected In Letter Carriers’ National Food Drive

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:05:00 GMT

Despite the difficult economic times throughout the nation, Americans donated a record 73.4 million pounds of non-perishable food in the Letter Carriers National Food Drive to restock community food banks and pantries in the nation’s largest one-day effort to combat hunger, the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) announced today.

The food was collected by letter carriers on May 9 as they delivered mail along their postal routes in over 10,000 cities and towns in all 50 states and U.S. jurisdictions. It is the nation’s largest one-day effort to “Stamp Out Hunger.”

NALC President William H. Young expressed profound appreciation to the millions of Americans who left food by their mailboxes and the thousands of letter carriers, rural carriers, and other postal employees and volunteers who collected, processed, and delivered the donations to local food banks and pantries.

“This is an amazing testimony to the generosity of the American people even as they themselves struggle to make ends meet in these hard times,” Young said. “Our members take pride in being able to serve their postal customers and help them assist millions of needy Americans, including many working families, children and the elderly.”

Final results showed 73,414,533 pounds of non-perishable food were collected in the traditional event on the second Saturday in May, a slight increase over the previous record of 73.1 million pounds set in 2008. It was the sixth consecutive year above 70 million pounds and brought the total for the drive’s 17 years to over 982 million pounds of food.

West Coast Florida NALC Branch 1477, headquartered in the St. Petersburg area, collected 1,755,689 pounds of donations to take top honors for the second consecutive year among the more than 1,400 local NALC branches that conducted food drives. Buffalo/Western New York NALC Branch 3 came in second in the nation.

Young expressed appreciation to the union’s national partners in the drive – the U.S. Postal Service’s Priority Mail, Campbell Soup Company, Valpak Direct Marketing Systems, United Way of America and local United Ways, the AFL-CIO and its affiliated unions, the Feeding America food bank network and “Family Circus” cartoonist Bil Keane, who yearly provides special promotional artwork. Young also thanked Valassis Communications for its Red Plum circulars promoting the drive and to the Harlem Globetrotters, actors David Arquette and Courteney Cox, and celebrity host Ryan Seacrest for their promotional support.

Feeding America and Abbott Partner for Hurricane Relief

Wed, 27 May 2009 15:15:00 GMT

Feeding America today announced that it is working with the global health care company, Abbott, to pre-position nutritional products in 20 food banks throughout the Southeast United States and Puerto Rico in preparation for the 2009 hurricane season, which officially arrives on June 1. Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

Food banks will receive pre-packaged disaster relief packs containing both adult and pediatric nutritionals that are designed specifically for families of different sizes. These disaster relief packs will serve more than 20,000 people in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Food banks were selected based on vulnerability to hurricanes, their capacity to assist in disaster response and recovery, and on population coverage.

Volunteers within organizations such as The East Texas Food Bank in Tyler, Texas and America’s Second Harvest of South Georgia in Valdosta, Georgia, have agreed to create 5,200 disaster relief packs containing 232,000 pounds of Abbott-donated nutritionals for distribution across U.S. food banks by the start of hurricane season.

“Our goal, in partnering with Feeding America, is to empower communities to ensure that critical products are immediately available to those who need them when a disaster strikes. Pre-positioned products can be distributed quickly and reliably by working through Feeding America's established network of food banks,” said Kathy Pickus, divisional vice president, Global Citizenship and Policy, Abbott.

“We are extremely grateful to Abbott for donating to us and helping us pre-position relief supplies at our food banks in strategically important locations,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “We certainly hope that there aren’t any hurricanes this season, but we can now take some small comfort in the fact that should a hurricane hit, we will be ready to immediately provide food, water and other supplies to people in need. These supplies are intended to help bridge the gap until the rest of our Network can aid the food banks serving affected communities.”

“If the donated supplies are not needed for disaster use this season,” said Escarra, “They will be rolled into the food bank’s regular inventory, providing extra assistance to those in need on an everyday basis.”

The Abbott/Feeding America disaster relief packs will be pre-staged at the following food banks:

Texas

· Beaumont-Southeast Texas Foodbank

· Food Bank of Corpus Christi

· Houston Food Bank

· McAllen-Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.

· Tyler-East TX Foodbank

· Victoria--Food Bank of the Golden Crescent

Louisiana

· Alexandria-Food Bank of Central Louisiana

· Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank

· Monroe-Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana

· Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans & Acadiana

· Shreveport-Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana

Alabama/Mississippi

· Theodore, AL—Bay Area Food Bank

Florida

· Ft Myers--Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida

· Miami--Daily Bread Food Bank

· Sarasota-All Faiths Food Bank

· Tallahassee--America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Inc.

Georgia

· Savannah--America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Inc.

· Valdosta-America's Second Harvest of South Georgia, Inc.

South Carolina

· Charleston-Lowcountry Food Bank

North Carolina

· Elizabeth City-Food Bank of the Albemarle

Puerto Rico

· Bayamon- Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico

Feeding America provided more than 25.6 million pounds of food and grocery products to food banks throughout Louisiana, Texas and other Gulf Coast states in 2008, following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

Feeding America is now in its 20^th year of providing disaster relief services. The network of 206 food banks has worked in recent years to improve its disaster response capability with enhanced disaster planning, by developing and training national support teams, and with the staging supplies in advance of disaster.

Feeding America Partner Support Expedites Disaster Relief And Recovery Efforts

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:43:00 GMT

Feeding America and The Clorox Company have partnered to provide bleach and cleaning supplies to communities hit by recent flooding in Eastern Kentucky and South Georgia. As waters recede in flooded areas, individuals and families are beginning the arduous task of cleaning out their flood damaged homes. Cleaning supplies and bleach from Clorox have been distributed through Feeding America Members in Lexington, Kentucky; Fargo, North Dakota; and Valdosta, Georgia.

“As our food bank continues to support flood recovery efforts in communities throughout Eastern Kentucky, we are reminded that flood clean-up is an important part of the recovery process,” said Marian Guinn, CEO of God’s Pantry Food Bank. “Our Member Agencies throughout the region provide food and grocery products to address hunger on a daily basis and have also played an important role with disaster relief following the recent floods, including the provision of cleaning supplies that are essential to community restoration. We are very grateful for Clorox Company’s support as our recovery efforts. ”

AmeriCares, an international relief organization, has partnered with Feeding America to support domestic disaster relief efforts in recent years. “The relief supplies that AmeriCares provides in the immediate aftermath of disasters and their support of our preparedness initiatives has allowed Feeding America to expedite much needed assistance for those in need. AmeriCares has also supported our strategy to pre-position water and other emergency supplies in strategic locations throughout the nation,” said Patrick Crawford, Director of Disaster Services for Feeding America.

Supplies that were staged at food banks in Kansas City, Missouri; Orange County, California; and Valdosta, Georgia and have been deployed to supplement the assistance provided by local Food Banks following disaster responses this Spring,

Feeding America provided more than 25.6 million pounds of food and grocery products for disaster relief in support of its food banks in 2008. Much of this assistance was in response to the devastation caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

One in Six Young Children Live at Risk of Hunger in 26 U.S. States According to New Feeding America Report

Wed, 06 May 2009 15:24:00 GMT

One in six young children live on the brink of hunger in 26 states in the U.S., according to a new report issued today by Feeding America. The rate of food insecurity in young children is 33 percent higher than in U.S. adults, where one in eight live at risk of hunger

Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005 -- 2007 states that 3.5 million children, ages five and under, are food insecure.

The analysis includes the first ever state-by-state analysis of early childhood hunger, using data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The report also found that food insecurity among all children (persons less than 18 years of age) increased dramatically in many states, when compared to USDA data collected between 2003 and 2005. The report was funded with a grant from the ConAgra Foods Foundation.

More than 12 million children in the United States are food insecure – unable to consistently access adequate amounts of nutritious food necessary for a healthy life.

“Children are the engine for economic growth in the United States. Hunger creates unbearable, unsustainable costs that ripple through the economy and prevent economic success.” said researcher John Cook, Ph.D., of the Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine, a nationally-recognized expert on child hunger, who conducted the analysis. “If we fail to give them the nutrition and health supports they need in the first three to five years of life, our economy cannot fulfill its potential.”

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. Child hunger also creates tremendous costs that are completely unavoidable. There is no better investment in a prosperous future than investing in ending childhood hunger.”

“The startling fact that so many very young children in this country do not have adequate nutrition necessary to grow and develop into healthy adults is heartbreaking. It is all the more tragic when one considers that it is also entirely preventable,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “We know that a child who is hungry and cannot learn; they become a man or woman who cannot earn.”

The states with the highest rates of food insecure children under 5 years of age are:

State	Rate
Louisiana	24.2%
North Carolina	24.1%
Ohio	23.8%
Kentucky	23.3%
Texas	23.3%
New Mexico	23.3%
Kansas	20.9%
South Carolina	20.7%
Tennessee	20.4%
Idaho	20.2%
Arkansas	20.0%
West Virginia	19.8%
Missouri	19.8%

The states with the highest rates of food insecure children under the age of 18 are:

State	Rate
Texas	22.1%
Mississippi	21.5%
District of Columbia	21.4%
Tennessee	20.5%
Arizona	20.2%
South Carolina	20.2%
Louisiana	20.0%
Missouri	20.0%
Maine	19.5%
North Carolina	19.4%

The state-by-state study was sponsored by the ConAgra Foods Foundation as part of its “Nourish Today, Flourish Tomorrow” program focused on child hunger and nutrition education. ConAgra Foods is a major donor to Feeding America, whose network of food banks and food-rescue organizations serves 25 million Americans every year.

“ConAgra Foods is stepping up its fight to end child hunger in the United States,” said Kori Reed, executive director of the ConAgra Foods Foundation. “The ConAgra Foods Foundation is building a community of people who are passionate about ending child hunger and teaching kids about nutrition, building a movement to ensure that hunger remains at the forefront of the national agenda and inspires action.”

Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2005 -- 2007 analyzes data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS) over a three-year period. The USDA has collected data on domestic food insecurity since 1995, but has not analyzed it to determine specifically the number of children living in food insecure households by state.

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.

The report is available at http://Feedingamerica.org/childreport

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