Feed Insecurity and Child Hunger in El Paso County
Many, Especially Children are Food Insecure in El Paso
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Many, Especially Children are Food Insecure in El Paso
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We first look at the Food Insecurity
map in 2012 and we thought it was time to look at it again.
The Feeding America network “is the nation’s largest domestic
hunger-relief organization. Together with individuals, charities, businesses
and government we can end hunger.”
Feeding America regularly posts an
interactive map that shows the level of food insecurity state by state and
county by county. Their website states:
“Food insecurity exists in every county
and congressional district in the country. But not everyone struggling with
hunger qualifies for federal nutrition assistance. Learn more about local food
insecurity and the food banks in your community by exploring data from Feeding
America’s annual Map the Meal Gap project.”
"Feeding America undertook the
Map the Meal Gap project...to learn more about the face of hunger at the local
community level. In August, 2011...child food insecurity data was added. This
map reflects 2009 data; updates to include the recently released 2010 USDA and
Census Bureau data will be incorporated in early 2012. "
A new 2016 map is currently up at Feeding America's Food Insecurity Map.[1]
Some definitions first:
Food insecurity: A condition assessed in the Current
Population Survey and represented in USDA food security reports. It is a
household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to
adequate food.
SNAP threshold: A dollar amount (based on a percent of the
poverty level) at which a household’s income is deemed too high to be eligible
for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food
Stamp Program). Income eligibility is one aspect of eligibility, which also
includes assets. These income thresholds and other eligibility tests vary by
state.
Texas
The Food Insecurity Rate for the
State of Texas is at 15.4% a drop from 2011 when it was 17.8%. This means
4,277,540 Texas are food insecure people.
33% of those insecure are above other Nutritional Program Threshold of 185% poverty. Compared with 2011, 61% of those
in Texas who are Food Insecure are below the SNAP threshold of 165% poverty.
3% of those insecure are between
165% to 185% poverty. This is down from 2011 numbers of 8% of those are between
165-185% poverty
In 2016, 64% of those insecure are
below SNAP thresholds of 165% poverty. In 2011, 31% of those are above other
nutrition program thresholds of 185% poverty
Feeding America estimates that Texas
needed an additional $1,953,920,000 which is more than what Feeding America
said it needed in 2011 ( $1,673,903,770) to meet food needed in 2009. In 2011,
the average cost of a meal in Texas was $2.36. In 2016, it is $2.67
Texas Children
In 2016, The Child Food Insecurity
Rate was 23%. Compared with 2011, the Child Food Insecurity Rate in Texas is
28.2%. Currently is rates Texas as having 1,676,740 children as food insecure.
34% of insecure children are likely ineligible for federal nutrition programs (incomes above 185% of poverty)
66% of insecure children are
income-eligible for nutrition program (incomes at or below 185% of poverty)
El Paso County
El Paso County has seen a drop from
20.3% in 2010 to 8.5% insecurity rate. As estimated 71,340 people in the county
are food insecure, compared with 147,750 in 20
Within those who are Food Insecure
in El Paso County:
·
0% of those insecure live above
Other Nutrition Program threshold of 185% poverty
·
100% of those insecure live below
SNAP threshold 165% poverty
Child Food Insecurity in El Paso
County
El Paso has a 23.3%, a change from
37.6% in 2011. 55,120 children are food insecure, a drop from 2011 (86,390).
- 26% of those Food Insecure children are likely ineligible for federal nutrition programs (incomes above 185% of poverty)
- 74% of those food insecure children are income-eligible for nutrition programs (incomes at or below 185% of poverty)
[1]
For methodology, see http://www.feedingamerica.org/research/map-the-meal-gap/how-we-got-the-map-data.html.
