New USDA report finds Blacks and Latinos face higher rates of hunger
No consistent access to three meals a day
CHICAGO, Ill.—A new report issued this week by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) found alarming rates of food insecurity among minorities.
In the general population, 1 in 6 Americans, 49 million, are currently living in households that are identified as food insecure, but the rates are much higher for Latinos and African Americans.
“The new USDA findings are disturbing. It is very upsetting that so many Americans struggle on a daily basis to find enough nutritious food to feed themselves and their families. But it is also particularly of concern that Latinos and African Americans are so disproportionately affected,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “Our nation must do everything possible to help end these inequities. We must make sure that all American, especially our children, are properly nourished, so that they can lead healthy, happy and productive lives.”
Latino
• Rates of food insecurity were much higher among Latino households than the national average: more than 26 percent of Latino households versus nearly 15 percent of all households.
• More than one in four Latinos, 28 percent, or 13 million, is at risk of hunger.
• Nearly one-third of Latino children, 32 percent, or 5 million, are living in food insecure households.
“Hispanic families continue to be among the Americans most likely to grapple with food insecurity and hunger,” said Janet Murguia, president and CEO of the National Council of La Raza, the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. “It is vital that we improve access to healthy foods and strengthen nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP and WIC. However, over the long term, we also need comprehensive policies that address the economic and environmental factors that cause food insecurity in the Latino community.”
African American
• Rates of food insecurity among Black, non-Hispanic households is nearly as high as in the Latino population, at approximately 25 percent, about the same rate reported last year.
• More than one in four African Americans, 27 percent, or 10 million is at risk of hunger.
• More than one-third of African American children, 3.7 million, are living in food insecure households.
“The report released by the USDA this week shows that a disturbing number of African Americans don’t have consistent access to three square meals a day. This is a situation which must change. We cannot allow so many people in our nation to live without enough food to lead healthy, productive lives,” said Tavis Smiley, broadcaster and philanthropist.
The new USDA report leads us to note another inequity borne by African Americans and Latinos in the current economy.
Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, released in March 2011, found that unemployment is a strong driver of food insecurity. In December 2010 (the time of data collection for the USDA report), the unemployment rate for African Americans (15.8 percent) and Latinos (13 percent) was dramatically higher than that of Whites (8.5 percent).
Since the USDA data was collected, the unemployment rates for Whites and Latinos have decreased slightly, to 8 percent and 11.3 percent, respectively, in August, but the African American unemployment rate has increased to 16.7 percent. These findings suggest that food insecurity rates will remain disproportionately high for Latinos, and may actually increase for African Americans.
Tavis Smiley shook the rafters of American comfort when he put a human face on the alarming new data about poverty in the nation. He showed the world what being poor looks like with special programming on both his national public television and radio programs.
With nearly 50 million Americans, or one-in-six, now living in poverty, “The Poverty Tour: A Call to Conscience” kicked off with a roundtable discussion on “The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI” in October.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Tavis Smiley will put a human face on the alarming new data about poverty in America with special programming on both his national public television and radio programs.
With nearly 50 million Americans, or one in six, now living in poverty, “The Poverty Tour: A Call to Conscience” will kick off with a roundtable discussion on The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI on Friday, October 7 (public radio), and will be the focus of five special episodes on the PBS program Tavis Smiley Monday, October 10 through Friday, October 14.
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that nearly 46.2 million Americans now live in poverty, an increase of 2.6 million people since 2009 and the highest figures on record. The poverty rate for children under 18 increased to 22 percent (16,401,000 children) in 2010. Among children under 5, the poverty rate increased to 25.9 percent (5,467,000 children).
The court-ordered process of officially notifying African American farmers and their heirs about the $1.25 billion “Pigford II” class action settlement is under way.
LANCASTER, Calif.—The Community Action League (TCAL) will host the Community Justice Forum on Saturday, May 14, at the Palmdale Moose Lodge from 12-4 p.m.
The forum and civil rights seminar will educate citizens about their Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment rights, as well as address police harassment and criminal records.
V. Jesse Smith, co-founder of the organization, says the AV is in need of this workshop, especially due to the high volume of complaints and issues individuals have shared with TCAL.
