Hunger in NYS

Hunger remains a persistent and prevalent reality for many New Yorkers.

Hunger is defined as an individual-level physiological condition that may result from food insecurity (USDA).

Food Insecurity is a household-level economic and social condition reflecting an inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life.

The USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) annual report measures Household Food Security in the US and at the state level. The data reveal a decline in household food insecurity in 2018, with the rate dropping from 11.8 to 11.1 percent nationally. Yet this equates to more than 40 million Americans still living in households struggling with food insecurity. In New York, just over 1 in 10 New York households (10.5%) experience food insecurity, down from 10.9% in the previous report. Nationally and in New York State, food insecurity is more frequent in households with children.

The findings underscore the fact that hunger is still prevalent in communities across the state. These are children who go to bed hungry, senior citizens who have to decide between buying groceries and purchasing medication, and parents who do without so their children can have enough to eat.

Understanding the prevalence of food insecurity, and the extent to which federal nutrition programs are utilized to reduce food insecurity and avoid hunger, is critical to addressing the problem.