Hunger in PA 1 in 8 Pennsylvanians experiences food insecurity While there are many misconceptions about food insecurity, the biggest may be that it only affects people in extreme poverty. Actually, around half of Pennsylvanians live paycheck to paycheck. Odds are, at least one person you know is just one emergency away from having to choose between housing, utilities or food. The Misconceptions Myth Hunger is a city problem. Fact Most Pennsylvanians who experience food insecurity live in cities—but that’s because cities have more people overall. While our rural areas have fewer people, a higher percentage of them are food insecure. In fact, the 20 counties with the highest levels of food insecurity in PA are predominantly rural. Myth Hunger exists because there’s not enough food to go around. Fact This couldn’t be further from the truth. Each year, 120 billion pounds of food is wasted in the US. Pennsylvania’s farms are some of the largest producers of fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, and dairy in the country. The problem isn’t food: It’s access to food. Myth Hunger mostly affects the unhoused or unemployed. Fact Many people who struggle with food insecurity have permanent housing and steady employment. While they may not be experiencing extreme poverty, factors like inflation, healthcare costs, and low wages make it hard for many working Pennsylvanians to put food on the table. Myth Food insecurity is a permanent state. Fact Many people who use food pantries do so for a short period of time. They may have lost their job, or been faced with an unexpected expense. For many Pennsylvanians, food pantries are a temporary safety net while they work to restabilize their financial situation. How food insecurity affects our communities Physical Health Mental Health Educational Attainment Societal Impacts Physical Health Mental Health Educational Attainment Societal Impacts Physical Health The most obvious effect of not having enough to eat is poor physical health. Food insecurity puts people at higher risk for a range of diseases and chronic conditions. Food insecurity can also lead to obesity, as unhealthy foods tend to be cheaper and more accessible. Mental Health Food insecurity can cause stress, anxiety, and depression for people of all ages People who are food insecure are almost four times more likely to develop anxiety or depression, and food-insecurity is a major risk factor for childhood behavioral problems. Educational Attainment Food-insecure children tend to struggle at school. They are more likely to experience developmental impairments in areas like language, motor skills, and behavior. Societal Impacts Food insecurity doesn’t just affect those who experience it. Food-insecure people are more likely to need costly medical interventions, which can increase healthcare costs for everyone. Hunger also reduces economic productivity: It’s hard to do your best work when you’re dealing with the stress of food insecurity. When you donate to Feeding Pennsylvania, you help us direct resources that get nutritious food into communities where it’s needed—and advocate for policies that end hunger in PA. Donate Today …the food bank helps balance our production needs with our other customers and helps us ensure we have enough work to employ [five people]. Jason Frye | Pleasant Lane Farms Read this Farm’s Story Without their purchasing volume using PASS & LFPA Funds, we would have struggled to find markets for a significant portion of our crop. Brian Smith | Solebury Orchards Read this Farm’s Story Our Impact We exist to make our state’s charitable food system work better so that no Pennsylvanian has to go hungry. 0 M pounds of food distributed per year 0 agencies & food pantries in our network 0 employees supporting our partner food banks 0 K volunteers giving their time Join The Cause Help us end hunger in PA You might think hunger in Pennsylvania is too big a problem for you to help solve. Actually, it’s a problem so big we can’t solve it without you. take action
Myth Hunger is a city problem. Fact Most Pennsylvanians who experience food insecurity live in cities—but that’s because cities have more people overall. While our rural areas have fewer people, a higher percentage of them are food insecure. In fact, the 20 counties with the highest levels of food insecurity in PA are predominantly rural.
Myth Hunger exists because there’s not enough food to go around. Fact This couldn’t be further from the truth. Each year, 120 billion pounds of food is wasted in the US. Pennsylvania’s farms are some of the largest producers of fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, and dairy in the country. The problem isn’t food: It’s access to food.
Myth Hunger mostly affects the unhoused or unemployed. Fact Many people who struggle with food insecurity have permanent housing and steady employment. While they may not be experiencing extreme poverty, factors like inflation, healthcare costs, and low wages make it hard for many working Pennsylvanians to put food on the table.
Myth Food insecurity is a permanent state. Fact Many people who use food pantries do so for a short period of time. They may have lost their job, or been faced with an unexpected expense. For many Pennsylvanians, food pantries are a temporary safety net while they work to restabilize their financial situation.