THE PROBLEM IS POVERTY, NOT FOOD INSECURITY

The detailed tabulations in USDA’s annual hunger report suggest that lack of food in not the main cause of food insecurity, poverty is. Food insecurity is actually higher for low-income households that received SNAP benefits or emergency food from food pantries. The rate of food insecurity was 54% for low-income households that received SNAP benefits and only 25% for low-income households that did not receive SNAP benefits. Similarly, the rate of food insecurity was 69% for low-income households that received emergency food from food pantries and only 27% for low-income households that did not. For a low-income family—especially one juggling responsibilities for children, or health care problems, or multiple jobs – almost no amount of SNAP benefits at the start of the month would be enough to prevent episodes of insecurity by the end.

Source: Politico, 9/15, Food Insecurity or Poverty