Food Insecurity is the lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times.
Hunger is the mental and physical condition that comes from not eating enough food due to insufficient economic, family or community resources.
To read the Highlights of Findings for Connecticut, drawn from the Hunger in America 2006 study, click here (PDF file).
In 2005, 35.1 million people in the United States, including 12.4 million children, were classified as food insecure. (1)
25 million Americans receive food from an emergency food program each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. (1)
75% of households that receive emergency food assistance in Connecticut live below the poverty line. (2)
Nationally, only 12% of those seeking food assistance are homeless. (2)
In Connecticut, 8.6% of households are hungry or food insecure. (1)
A survey of food pantry and soup kitchen clients in Connecticut revealed that: 42% had to choose between paying for food or utilities; 34% had to choose between food or paying rent; and 30% had to choose between food or medical care. (2)
One of three children under 18 are hungry or at risk of hunger. To learn more about childhood hunger, and how kids and adults can help, click here. (2)
Only 38% of schools in Connecticut participate in the federally-funded School Breakfast Program, the lowest percentage of all fifty states in the nation. (3)
For more information about hunger issues, check out
Hunger 101 - an interactive education program addressing the issues of hunger, food security and poverty on national, state and local levels. This link and all materials are courtesy of the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Sources: (1) U.S. Department of Agriculture, (2) America's Second Harvest, (3) End Hunger Connecticut!.
