Who the Hungry Really Are

According to the US Department of Agriculture, hunger is defined as "...a potential consequence of food insecurity that, because of prolonged, involuntary lack of food, results in discomfort, illness, weakness, or pain that goes beyond the usual uneasy sensation." Further, food security was defined ranging from high to very low food security.  Very low food security exists when there are multiple disruptions of eating patterns without food intake because of lack of available resources to obtain food. It should be noted that low food security exists when low variety exists.  This was formerly known as food insecurity without hunger. For example, a family unable to afford groceries or running out of groceries by the end of the week may have very low food security.  Families who may need to eat the same low budget meal repeatedly may have low food security. However, they are able to provide some type of nourishment. Low food security or very low food security is not a definition used for those who choose not to eat for whatever reason, such as, they don't like what they are having for dinner or they do not want to eat what food is available. That is, food insecure families are not food insecure by choice. In 2015, 12.7% of U.S. households were food insecure.

Photo courtesy of Peakpx.com

In the United States, there is a misconception that those receiving SNAP benefits, or on food stamps, have very low food security. In fact, the opposite is true.  Receipt of SNAP benefits enables families to have high food security. In 2015, five percent of U.S. households had very low food security.   However, SNAP benefits actually have demonstrated a reduction in hunger and food insecurity. Those receiving SNAP benefits and who demonstrate food insecurity has declined.   Families with school age children who receive SNAP benefits, often also qualify for free or reduced lunch programs at schools.  Those programs also may offer free or reduced breakfast and some after-school snack programs.  Many other programs are also geared toward SNAP recipients, and thereby are raising them out of the very low food security area into the high food security area. In fact, the area of the most need for SNAP recipients, is not food at all. Rather, they demonstrate need in obtaining household non-food items, such as laundry detergent, household cleaners, toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, etc.

Food insecurity also affects working families.  The federal poverty level is currently $24,300 for a family of four. This could be a single wage earner who earns approximately $11.68 per hour. Families who make up to 185% of the federal poverty level still qualify for free and reduced meals at school and other programs.  The household income level for reduced meals is 185% of federal poverty level, or $44,955, or $21.61 an hour for a single wage earner.  The household income level for free meals is 130% of federal poverty level, which is those earning $31,590 or less a year, or approximately $15.19 an hour for a single wage earner.  Although 67% of food insecure families have earnings in this range, 33% of wage earners who earn over 200% of the federal poverty level are also food insecure. That is a family of four with a household income of $48,600, may also experience food insecurity. For a single wage earner, that wage may be $23.36 an hour.  Some may question how this is possible. Please see below for a financial breakdown.

Annual Income at 200% FPL: $48,600
Monthly Income: $4050
Taxes and Deductions (including insurance): $1215
Housing Costs (assumed at 25%): $710
Monthly Utility Costs (water, gas, electric, trash): $230
Car Payment (assuming one vehicle): $350
Monthly Automobile Gas: $250
Auto Insurance: $100
School Lunch for Children (assumed at $3/day for two children): $120
Misc. Expenses: $500
Remainder for Meals: $575 or an average of $19 a day to feed a family of four.

Naturally, the above calculations were a conservative measure of a family's household income and budget.  Other factors may come into play, such as school expenses, dry cleaning, other household debts, and so forth.  This would then reduce the amount left for meals even further. These families, may be placed in the low food security category to the very low food security category.  Resources may be limited to purchase food, but food is available. Nonetheless, when programs place income requirements on food assistance programs, families at or above 200% poverty level may not receive necessary assistance. They may not be able to "prove" a need, even though one exists. It should be noted that this is merely an example of how food insecurity may occur in households with incomes greater than 200% of federal poverty level. The USDA indicated that in 2015, 87.3% of U.S. households were food secure.

Sources
Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics, found online at,
http://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/hunger-and-poverty/hunger-and-poverty-fact-sheet.html
Definitions of Food Security, found online at,
http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security.aspx#characteristics
Fact Sheet: White House Report Highlights New Research on SNAP's Effectiveness and the Importance of Adequate Food Assistance, found online at,
http://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/2015/wh-120815
Twelve Facts about Food Insecurity and SNAP. Brookings Institute, found online at,
https://www.brookings.edu/research/twelve-facts-about-food-insecurity-and-snap/
Household Income 2015. American Community Survey Briefs, found online at,
https://www.census.gov/content/dam/Census/library/publications/2016/demo/acsbr15-02.pdf
Child Nutrition Programs, Income Eligibility Guidelines (July 1, 2016 - June 30, 2017), found online at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fr-032316
Food Security in the U.S., Key Statistics & Graphics. USDA, found online at
http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics.aspx