Still hungry – food insecurity in the U.S.

Courtesy of Jessica Mullen (via Flickr)

Between the recession, job losses, and rising costs, millions of American households are going hungry. In fact, nearly 1 in 7 Americans are food insecure, or unable to afford and provide enough food for their family, according to a report from the USDA.

Poverty and a lack of resources have made it more difficult for many families to find food, shelter, and healthcare. Necessities everyone should have access to. But in 2008, at least 17 million households were food insecure, up from 13 million last year – the highest level of food insecurity since reporting began in 1995, says the USDA. Even with record enrollment in SNAP and other assistance programs, millions of families are still in the red with “low” or “very low” food security. As more children grow up in food-insecure households, President Obama is working with Congress to extend benefits and expand programs to ensure access to healthy meals. Make sure you’re getting the help you need and deserve.