Food Insecurity Essay

Validate the Importance of the Issue Poverty and food insecurity is currently one of the largest and most problematic issues facing the United States. A household that struggles with food insecurity is one in which extremely limited assets are available to support human life. Food insecurity is one issue facing the United States that plays a large role in the amount of American citizens who are considered to be poverty stricken. 41 Million Americans struggle with hunger, this number is almost identical to the 40.6 million (12% of Americans) living in poverty (Hunger and Poverty Facts). Of the 41 million individuals who struggle with hunger, 13 million of them are children and 5.4 million of them are senior citizens (Hunger and Poverty Facts).

To further validate these facts, studies also show that neighborhoods that have poor and low income residents usually have less resources to promote well being. Americans who struggle with poverty are also more likely to struggle with living in an environment with poor air quality and unsanitary conditions in the home. Children who are raised in a poverty stricken household are also much more likely to be exposed to tobacco, have poor oral health, low weight, short height, asthma, develop disabilities, and have poor academic success (Hunger and Poverty Facts).

Current Public Policy The United States has recognized that poverty and food insecurity is an issue that doesn’t just have one simple answer to it. As a response to this, America has programs and organizations such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, (TANF) Feeding America, Save the Children, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (Food Stamps) and Social Security. Earned Income Tax Credit is federal tax credit for moderate to low income workers. Those who are on the Earned Income Tax Credit are encouraged to work because they receive more credits as they make more money. Temporary Assistance for