Food Insecurity and its Impact on Health: Risks, Realities, and Community Initiatives

By the Numbers Community Health Initiatives Food for Thought Risks and Realities Turning the Table $100 $100 $100 $100 $100 $200 $200 $200 $200 $200 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $400 $400 $400 $400 $400

Food for Thought for $100 The household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. A: What is food insecurity? • In 2016, approximately 12.3% (15.6 million households) of people in the United States lived in food insecure households. That’s more than 1 in 10 Americans. (Household Food Security in the United States in 2016, ERR-237 Economic Research Service/USDA)

Food for Thought for $200 An area with a lack of or far away grocery stores making it hard for people to get nutritious food. • A: What is a Food Desert? • Food deserts can occur in both urban and rural communities. To learn more about the specifics of food deserts, and to see an interactive map of what areas are considered food deserts, visit https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas.aspx

Food for Thought for $300 • A “food ______” is a term used to describe a place that has a lot of: • Fast food stores • Gas stations • Corner stores • But little access to stores with nutritious food like fruits or vegetables. • A: What is a food swamp? • Many low income, urban residents have high access to stores selling less healthy products such as chips, soda, candy, tobacco, and beer. It’s often hard to find fresh fruits and vegetables or other products in smaller stores such as corner and convenience stores. Areas without ready access to fresh, healthy, and affordable foods are call “food deserts” (USDA).

Food for thought for $400 A term used to describe efforts to promote equitable access to health foods for all people. • A: What is food justice • Access to healthy foods is not random. There are clear patterns that exist throughout regions in the United States. Communities of color and low-income communities are more likely to have low access to a wide variety of healthy food stores compared to white communities and high-income communities. Food justice efforts work to change this inequitable part of the food system, which has ramifications on other outcomes such as chronic disease, maternal health, and child development.

Risks and Realities for $100 • It is proven that lack of access to this resource leads to: • Higher rates in obesity • Heart disease • Diabetes • Premature death • Cognitive delays • Decreased mobility • Lack of stamina • Emotional distress • Loss of muscle mass • A slower immune system • A: What is nutritious food? • Not being able to access or afford nutritious food can lead to many problems. When the basic need for food is not met, it is difficult to get ahead. Not having access to nutritious food is crippling and it takes away our power. Without good nutrition we do not have the energy to lead the lives we want to live.

Risks and Realities for $200 This disease is often caused by poor nutrition. It leads to thirst, fatigue, less feeling in hands and feet and blurred vision. Insulin shots are often needed. • A: What is diabetes? • [Include information and statistics about your county’s diabetes rates.]

Risks and Realities for $300 ____% of households in [County name] are food insecure. • A: What is [___]% • [Include information about statewide or local food insecurity.]

Risks and Realities for $400 As many as _______ [ratio, percentage, or rounded number] residents in [County name] live in Food Deserts • A: What is _____? [ratio, percentage, or rounded number] • [If information regarding food deserts is available for your county or area include this specific data or go to https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas/]

By the Numbers for $100 The average person should eat ____ serving of fruits and ____ serving of vegetables daily. • A: What is 1 ½-2 cups of fruits and 2-3 of vegetables daily (2015)? • [More information on federal fruit and vegetable recommendations from 2015: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6645a1.htm?s_cid=mm6645a1_w]

By the Numbers for $200 _____ % Of [State] residents receive SNAP benefits • A: What is ____%? • [Include facts of SNAP usage in your region or community derived from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/snap-state-by-state-data-fact-sheets-and-resources]

By the Numbers for $300 There are _____ farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets in [Region, county, or city name] that accept SNAP (EBT) and SNAP Incentives. • A: What is ____? • [Include information about local farmers’ markets, farm stands, CSA’s, and mobile markets accepting SNAP & SNAP Incentives]

By the Numbers for $400 _____ % of people receive SNAP/EBT in [County] • A: What is ____%? • [Include up to date information on SNAP benefits in your county. ]

Turning the Table for $100 [Question about your local SNAP Incentive Program - list facts of when it began, name, and amount.] A: What is ________ (Name of SNAP Incentive Program)?

Turning the Table for $200 ______ is another type of Federal or Local Nutrition Incentive Program available at farmers’ markets that increases access to nutritious food for low income residents. (Multiple Correct Answers) A: In our community, there is momentum to improve access to healthy foods by providing incentives to SNAP recipients to visit farmers’ markets and farm stands. These incentive programs are available for eligible participants to use at participating farmers’ markets, farm stands and mobile markets: • WIC (National Program) • WIC FMNP (National Program) • SENIOR FMNP (National Program) • PRODUCE PRESCRIPTION PROGRAMS (Local) • Any additional local incentive programs

Turning the Table for $300 This person and/or group uses many techniques to curb food insecurity including:  Budgeting  Traveling long distances or going on time consuming routes to get to healthy food  Shopping at farmers’ markets  Going to produce drops  Gardening  Using spices instead of salt  Baking instead of frying  Getting healthy food for neighbors/family  Buying or getting produce in bulk to freeze and store  Making healthy meals for neighbors or family  Plus, countless other ways • A: Who is a community member, champion, or ambassador • People in our communities are already fighting food insecurity every day! Often, the best answers to problems such as food insecurity and lack of healthy food access will come directly from community members.

Turning the Table for $400 This organization increases nutritious food access by providing application assistance for eligible applicants to apply for SNAP benefits. • A: What is the [Local/Community/Regional] Food Bank? • [Provide Facts about the local food bank that apply.]

Community Health Initiatives for $100 [The questions in this section should be created for your local context. Discuss what your organization is doing to improve community or public health, and highlight additional local programs or organizations.] • A: What is ____? • [Supplemental information]

Community Health Initiatives for $200 [The questions in this section should be created for your local context. Discuss what your organization is doing to improve community or public health and highlight additional local programs or organizations.] • A: What is ____? • [Supplemental information]

Food Desert’s in [County name] [insert county map]

Food Insecurity and its Impact on Health: Risks, Realities, and Community Initiatives