Food insecurity is on the rise in Montgomery, Greene, and Preble counties, largely due to the end of pandemic aid, according to The Foodbank. A study by Map the Meal Gap revealed that food insecurity in these counties jumped from 11.9% in 2021 to 14.3% in 2022.
This means that more than one in seven residents are unsure of where their next meal will come from. Across Ohio, the numbers are similar, with the rate increasing from 11.8% to 14.1%.
Amber Wright, development and marketing coordinator for The Foodbank, said they anticipated this increase. The data shows that food insecurity hits communities of color and children especially hard.
One in five kids is now facing food insecurity. “Food insecurity affects our most vulnerable populations the most, especially communities of color,” Wright explained, noting that the rates are double among Black and Hispanic individuals compared to their white counterparts.
To tackle this rising need, The Foodbank had already bolstered its infrastructure to address hunger in the area. Wright highlighted the importance of programs like the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which is currently being renegotiated in the Farm Bill.
“We use donations and state or federal funds to support our efforts, ensuring we can meet these growing needs,” she said.
Partnerships with organizations such as CareSource and Henny Penny are also crucial. These partners sponsor mass food distributions and help with food purchasing costs, allowing The Foodbank to provide essential assistance to those in need.
Looking ahead, Wright expects food insecurity rates to continue increasing. She stresses the importance of funding government nutrition assistance programs like SNAP. “Supporting these programs is vital to combatting hunger. They exist for a reason and benefit the entire community,” she said.