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Realities of Hunger
Due to the struggling economy and increase in fuel and food prices more people are turning to food cupboards and pantries for help. As a result, Philabundance is providing more food to people, especially the working poor who have to choose between rent and food.
Unfortunately, Philabundance and food banks across the county are experiencing a serious shortage of food due to a number of factors including:
- The USDA buys surplus food that U.S. farmers can’t sell, and sends it to regional food banks, which supply local food pantries and shelters. In 2004, supplies to food banks from the surplus program totaled $223 million. In 2006, was just $67 million (down 70%), said the USDA. Farm prices have been so stable, especially as farmers sell American crops overseas, that the government has been buying less surplus. As a result, there is much less food available for food banks.
- Retails stores are more precise about inventory, which means there is less excess product to donate
- The discount stores provide new outlets for manufacturers to send surplus food.
- PA state budget cut of the State Food Purchase Program -- More Info.
11/30/07 New York Times -- Food Banks in a Squeeze Tighten Belts
Hunger Stats
Hunger in Philadelphia
The 2006 Philadelphia Grow Project participated in a study from the Children's Sentinel Nutrition Assessment Program and found:
- Philadelphia has one of the highest child poverty rates in the US, with 1 child out of 3 living at or below the federal poverty line.
- Over one third of food insecure households surveyed do not receive food stamps
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The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2006 American Community Survey (ASC) shows:
- 25.1 percent of Philadelphians struggled below the poverty line - up from 24.5 percent in 2005. That rate was the highest among the 10 biggest U.S. cities.
Hunger in the Delaware Valley
America’s Second Harvest commissioned the 2006 Hunger in America Study, which reported:
- Individuals receiving hunger relief in the Delaware Valley increased more than 100 percent in five years, from 2001 to 2005.
USDA report of 2004, provide the findings on food insecurity:
- The Delaware Valley has 1.72% of the individuals living with food inadequacy in the United States.
- Of this population, there has been an increase of 48% in the last five years that significantly represent working households.
- We also know that 47% of the population earns too much income to qualify for food stamps.
- Additionally, 80% never use a food cupboard, and of this group, 45% report that their community either doesn’t have a food cupboard or they do not know of any cupboard. Of the remaining 55%, who know of food cupboards, 67% never use the services.
National Hunger
America’s Second Harvest commissioned the 2006 Hunger in America Study, which reported:
- A drop of incomes below the federal poverty level (from 71 percent in 2001 to 46 percent of the total in 2005), but more people are now seeking food aid from Pantry, Kitchen or Shelter programs, which suggests a significant increase in the number of “working poor.”
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