LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Food insecurity is on the rise across the country and in Kentuckiana, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The report found the number of people living in food insecure households across the country grew drastically in 2022, rising by 30%.
It's the largest single-year increase since the Great Recession in 2008, according to the USDA.
Officials with Dare to Care say here in Louisville, we've seen a similar rise in food insecurity.
"Dare to Care and our partners have witnessed this firsthand," President and CEO Vincent James said. "Our community has seen a 30% increase in our neighbors seeking food assistance in the past year as public benefits declined and food prices increased.
Right now, 44 million people in the U.S. are lacking reliable access to food, the USDA report said. That's roughly 1 in 7 people, including 1 in 5 children who live in food insecure households.
In Kentuckiana, James said Dare to Care continues to collect more localized data to understand how food insecurity impacts the nonprofit's 13-county service area.
But for now, James says there are ways people can help reduce the impacts of food insecurity in the region.
"Taking action as a community will help ensure our neighbors, our loved ones and all who face hunger have access to nutritious food," he added.
Here's how you can help
Check in on friends and families.
Experts said the underlying causes of food insecurity -- unemployment, poverty and inconsistent access to food -- are often difficult to address without the help from others.
Grow your own knowledge of available resources.
Stay informed, James said Kentuckiana has roughly 300 partners across the region who are on a "zero-hunger" mission.
Advocate for programs that help your neighbors.
Contact local representatives in Congress about avoiding a potential government shutdown on Nov. 17. James said if lawmakers can't enact a spending bill, it would risk delaying a vote on the 2023 Farm Bill, which comes up every five years.
It includes provisions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and helps millions of Americans have access to healthy food.
Support local food banks.
Help volunteer or donate resources to organizations fighting food insecurity in your community. Click here for more.
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