2012 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode...

their families. Enrollment in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assis-tance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program) has more than doubled since 2007.3 Over 175,000 Rhode Islanders currently receive SNAP benefits. At the same time, the number of people served monthly at food pantries in Rhode Island continues to grow, jumping 10 percent in the last year.

79,405 88,423

116,252

148,529

165,753

175,590

33,000 38,000 49,000 55,000

60,000 66,000

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

200,000

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

SNAP (Food Stamp) Enrollment (August of Each Year)

People Served at Emergency Food Pantries (Average for 12 Months Ending in August of Each Year)

Need for Food Assistance in Rhode Island Increases

The number of Rhode Islanders served at food pantries jumped 10 percent last year.

2012 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode IslandRhode Island Ranks Highest

in New England for Food Insecurity

Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island 2012 | 1

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank annually pro-duces this Status Report to document the extent of food insecurity and hunger in the state. In the aftermath of the Great Recession, with unemployment remaining per-

sistently high, the need for food assistance is at a record level. The 2012 Status Report shows that thousands of Rhode Island-ers cannot afford adequate food and would go hungry if it were not for federal nutrition programs and the Food Bank’s statewide network of emergency food programs. However, these programs are being threatened by cuts proposed in Congress and declining food donations. The Status Report concludes with recommen-dations for how to keep the state’s nutrition safety net strong.

Major Findings• Rhode Island ranks highest in food insecurity among

New England states

• The Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s agency network feeds 66,000 people each month

• Food donations have dropped at a time of record need

• Twenty-four percent of Rhode Island households receive SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits

• Federal nutrition programs pump $343 million into the local food economy

Without Jobs, More Rhode Islanders Seek Food AssistanceEven though the Great Recession officially ended three years ago, it continues to rob Rhode Island of jobs. There are fewer employed Rhode Islanders now than at any time in the past 15 years.1 Rhode Island’s unemployment rate remains in double digits, the second highest in the country.2 As the long-term jobless exhaust their unemployment benefits, they increasingly rely on government and charitable programs to feed

2 | Rhode Island Community Food Bank

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its 178 Member Agencies, with 233 sites in Rhode Island, serve more people today than at any time in the past. Food pantries, meal programs and shelters provided 17.9

million meals to people in need between July 2011 and June 2012. During this 12-month period, the Food Bank distributed 9.7 million pounds of food.

Grocery Industry Efficiency Means Less Surplus FoodTrends in food manufacturing have dramatically affected the Food Bank’s supply of donated food in recent years. When the Food Bank was founded thirty years ago, a significant amount of the food available for distribution came from food companies that found themselves with unexpected surplus due to over- production or minor manufacturing errors, such as a misprint on a cereal box. Food companies were faced with the choice of throwing away the surplus or donating it to a food bank that could safely distribute it to people in need. The choice was obvious.

Food Bank Increases Wholesale PurchasingThe Food Bank now must purchase food from wholesalers to ensure a continuous supply of food. In order to leverage the best prices and reduce transportation costs, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank partners with other food banks in New England. Food purchases, which are made possible by charitable giving and state funding, account for 39 percent of the food currently distributed by the Food Bank.

Food donations to the Food Bank have declined by almost two million pounds in the last four years.

Improvements in the food manufacturing industry, including just-in-time inventory and quality control procedures, have dramatically reduced the surplus food available for donation. While many food companies continue to support the Food Bank philanthropically, the fact remains that food donations to the Food Bank have declined by almost two million pounds in the last four years.

Food Donations Drop at Time of Record NeedEMERGENCy FOOD PROGRAMS PROvIDE 17.9 MIllION MEAlS

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

98,208,000

2009

Mill

ions

of Po

unds

6,096,700

2012

6,689,600

2011

7,612,600

2010

Donated Pounds of Food

Food Bank Focuses on Healthy FoodsWhile the trend in food donations presents challenges, it also offers opportunities. Rather than relying on the unpredictable mix of donated food, the Food Bank is able to select healthier food choices—such as brown rice, tuna or canned beans—when purchasing food. This results in healthier options for families and greater consistency of supply at local food pantries.

Note: Fiscal Years Ending June 30

2 | Rhode Island Community Food Bank Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island 2012 | 3

Barrington

Bristol

Central Falls

Cumberland

E. Providence

Narragansett

Newport

Pawtucket

Warren

Jamestown

Portsmouth

Woonsocket

N. Kingstown

E. Greenwich

WarwickW. Warwick

W. Greenwich

Coventry

Exeter

Richmond

Charlestown

Westerly

Middletown

Cranston

Burrillville

Foster Scituate

Johnston

Lincoln

Tiverton

S. Kingstown

Smith�eld

N. Smith�eld

Providence

N. Providence

217

23

16

1 2

43

19

776

3

114

95

1

2

1

1

18

2

2

2

4

93

2

1

23

1

4

The Food Bank Network of Member Agencies

The Food Bank distributes to 233 sites in Rhode Island through its network of Member Agencies, including:

• emergencyfoodpantries

• mealprograms

• shelters

• transitionalhousing

• grouphomes

• seniorenters

• daycareandafterschoolprograms

The number indicated for each city or town is the total number of sites in that location.


67,000 Households Report Food Insecurity

The U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conduct an annual survey of food security in America. Food security is defined as con-sistent, dependable access to enough food for active,

healthy living; limited access to adequate food is called food insecurity. To identify food insecurity, the USDA asks questions that connect access to food with the ability to afford it, as in this example: “In the last 12 months, were you ever hungry, but didn’t eat, because there wasn’t enough money for food?” The survey covers the precursors to hunger, including skipping meals or cutting the size of meals, to more extreme conditions, such as going without food for an entire day. According to the USDA, the prevalence of food insecurity in Rhode Island is 15.5 percent, affecting 67,000 households.4 Rhode Island has the highest rate of food insecurity in New England.

State Rate of Food Insecurity

Rhode Island 15.5

Maine 14.7

vermont 12.8

Connecticut 11.9

Massachusetts 11.9

New Hampshire 9.6

The prevalence of food insecurity in Rhode Island has increased significantly since 2008 from 11.7% to 15.5%. Over one-third of food insecure households (26,000 households) report the most severe conditions associated with hunger.

Food insecurity increased dramatically in Rhode Island following the Great Recession.

Raising a Family on Next to Nothing

Karen Jones depends on her visits to the Jonnycake Center of Westerly to feed her three school-aged boys.

Karen Jones works hard to put food on the table for her chil-dren. When she became a single mom two years ago, she didn’t give up—she stepped up. Karen never finished high school, but in 2010 she enrolled in a GED class through a

program offered at the Jonnycake Center of Westerly, where she also receives food assistance. For nearly a year, she walked 40 minutes each way, three days a week, to get to her class. like many member agencies of the Food Bank, the Jonnycake Center goes beyond pro-viding food to help people who are trying to become self-sufficient. Shortly after earning her GED, she found employment at a nearby grocery store, where she works the closing shift from 5 pm until mid-night. Her take home pay is $225 per week. She receives $358 per month from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps. On this budget, Karen provides for three growing boys between the ages of 11 and 18. “I have to keep a roof over the kids’ head, keep them fed and clothed—that’s my priority,” says Karen. “It’s hard to manage. I buy meat with SNAP, and I get the canned and boxed food from the pan-try. I need at least two cans of vegetables every night to feed my boys. I always make them eat first. Sometimes they won’t even eat if they think I don’t have enough. They’ll say, ‘you can eat mine, Mom.’ I say, ‘Guys, we’ll split it up.’” SNAP benefits arrive at the start of each month, but even with careful planning, they don’t last long enough. By the last week of most months, all their food is gone. Karen plans ahead: they collect aluminum cans all month long and turn them in for cash at a recycling center. “We usually get about $20 for the cans—that will get us another meal or two.” She cuts coupons, hunts for sales and buys reduced-price meat. A visit to the Jonnycake Center fills critical gaps in her ability to feed her children through the month. Karen urges others to take advantage of the resources that exist to help people climb out of poverty. She plans to attend a “transition to college” course offered through the Jonnycake Center. Her next goal: an associate’s degree in radiology. “My kids have always known me as a go-getter,” she says. “Even if people think I can’t do it, I’ll find a way. you have to set a goal and do whatever it takes to get there.”

Rhode Island Has Highest Food Insecurity in New England

Households Reporting Moderate and Severe Food Insecurity

Severe Food InsecurityModerate Food Insecurity

Total: 15.5%

Perc

ent

of R

hode

Isla

nd H

ouse

hold

s

0 2 4 6 8

10 12 14 16 18

2006–2008 2009–2011

Total: 11.7%

4.2%

7.5%

6%

9.5%


The federal nutrition programs, which are a critical resource for low-income individuals and families, include SNAP, WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children), National School

lunch, School Breakfast and Summer Food Service Programs. Together these five programs annually bring over $323 million in federal aid to Rhode Island.5

With Twenty-Four Percent of Households on SNAP, State Caseloads Top 2,000 Nearly one in four Rhode Island households (97,491 households as of August 2012) is enrolled in SNAP. Benefits are delivered by EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards that can only be used to purchase food at authorized stores. While offering critical help for struggling families, SNAP benefits are modest. In Rhode Island, the average monthly benefit is just $265 per household.6

Over the past four years, as SNAP enrollment doubled, the number of caseworkers at the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) did not increase. SNAP caseloads now top 2,000 per worker, limiting both customer service and timely response to application problems. Further adding to the admin-istrative burden on caseworkers, 18 clerical workers hired through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act were recently dismissed when stimulus funding ended.

WIC Promotes Healthy EatingWIC provides food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to health care and social services to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children up to age five. There are 24,000 WIC participants in Rhode Island, though more than 40,000 women and children qualify for the program.7 The average WIC food benefit is $50 per participant per month.8

In 2009, the program made changes to improve the health and nutrition of participating women and children by adding more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to traditional WIC food packages. Researchers found that after WIC introduced these changes, convenience and grocery stores in low-income communities began to stock healthier foods.9

Standards Raised for School MealsThe National School lunch and School Breakfast Programs reimburse school districts for free or reduced-price meals served to students from low-income households. On average, 51,300 Rhode Island students receive free or reduced-price lunch each school day and 29,070 participate in the breakfast program.10 In the coming year, the USDA will increase federal reimbursements for school meals that meet new nutrition standards.11 Fortunate-ly, the state is well-positioned to receive these higher payments, since the Rhode Island Department of Education established new nutrition requirements in 2009 including more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Summer Programs Serve Lunches to 5,900 ChildrenThrough the Summer Food Service Program, the USDA provides reimbursement for free meals provided to children at approved sites in low-income communities. These meals are a critical source of food during the summer for children who count on free school meals during the school year. In 2012, there were 198 summer meal sites in Rhode Island, most operating Monday through Friday. lunches were served to 5,940 children per day in July 2012.12 At this level, summer meals reach less than 12 percent of children receiving free or reduced-price lunches during the school year.

Five Federal Nutrition Programs

Federal Dollars to Rhode Island (Fiscal Year 2011)

SNAP $274,736,000

WIC $14,682,000

National School lunch $25,932,000

School Breakfast $7,327,000

Summer Food Service Program $656,000

TOTAL $323,333,000

Federal Dollars Received by Rhode Island for Nutrition Programs

Federal Nutrition Programs Prevent Hunger and Boost the Rhode Island Economy


Poor nutrition harms the health of children, adults and seniors. In a multi-site study of over 40,000 families, household food insecurity resulted in poorer health, higher developmental risk and more hospitalizations for

children under age four.13 In a large scale study of low-income, non-elderly adults, food insecurity was strongly associated with chronic disease.14 Other researchers have found that senior adults who are food insecure lack micronutrients and have poor-er health than their same-age, food secure peers.15

All Income Levels Affected by ObesityNot having enough food can affect health, but so can too many calories. It is well-accepted that obesity contributes to disease and illness. Obesity-related conditions include Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer. These are some of the leading causes of death in the United States. People of all age and income levels are affected by obesity. Since the 1990s, the prevalence of obesity has been rising. In Rhode Island, 26 percent of adults are obese—double the rate from fifteen years ago.16

The Impact of Food Insecurity on Health

Healthy items—including canned vegetables, beans, soup, rice, pasta, cereal, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables—make up over 87 percent of the food that we provide to people in need. In fact, of the 9.7 million pounds of food distributed between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012, the Food Bank deliv-ered nearly 2 million pounds of fresh produce.

Empowering People Through Nutrition EducationThis year the Food Bank introduced a new program, Community Cooking: Wholesome Eating on a Budget, which brings nutrition education directly to the people who need it most: clients of emergency food programs. The program is held on site at our member agencies and is designed to help their clients create healthier meals on a tight budget, with a focus on balance, moderation and variety. The Food Bank’s approach is based on a successful pilot program, Raising the Bar on Nutrition (RTB), created by Mary Flynn, Chief Research Dietition at the Miriam Hospital and Associate Professor of Medicine at Brown University. Community Cooking focuses on four key areas:

• Nutrition(followingtheUSDA’sguidelinesforhealthyeating)• HealthyCooking• FoodSafety• FoodBudgeting

Focus on PreventionWhile the causes of obesity are complex and include multiple genetic and environmental factors, the prevention of obesity is straight-forward. In most cases, obesity can be prevented through a healthy diet and regular exercise. The dietary guidelines devel-oped by the USDA recommend reducing calories, adding whole grains and eating more fruits and vegetables. One of the main barriers to healthy eating for low-income families is the inability to afford adequate food. Shopping on a limited budget leads to purchasing the least expensive item, not necessarily the healthy choice. For example, research shows that low-income families are far less likely than higher-income households to purchase fruits and vegetables.

Providing Nutritious FoodThe Rhode Island Community Food Bank wants to prevent obesity and promote healthy eating. We strive to provide nutri-tious food to people receiving food assistance in Rhode Island.

Wholesome Eating on a Budget

Barbara Kalil and John Freitas completed the 8-week Community Cooking class offered by the Rhode Island Community Food Bank at the Salvation Army on Broad Street. Formerly homeless, John and Barbara now live

independently. They wanted to improve their health, stick to a budget and show other homeless friends that it could be done. “Ignorance is the biggest enemy for a homeless person,” said John. “I always equated eating healthy with spending a lot of money. I’m finding out that brown rice is very good—it’s what you put into it—the vegetables.” “It’s so hard for anybody, but especially someone who’s home-less, to treat yourself in a kind way.” said Barbara. “It’s hard to think that you’re worthy of eating fresh foods. We’ve learned you can shop sensibly and eat well.”

13%

26%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

1995 2000 2005 2010

Prevalence of Obesity Among Adults in Rhode Island

21%

17%


Farm Bill Stalled in Congress

The Farm Bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation that authorizes funding for federal farm and food programs, including SNAP. With the 2008 Farm Bill due to expire on September 30, 2012, the Senate and House each

offered new versions of the bill this year. Unfortunately, Congress was unable to agree on a final Farm Bill before the deadline and may not vote on the bill until 2013.

Proposed Cuts to SNAPBoth the Senate and House versions of the Farm Bill reduce SNAP funding. Members of Congress were reacting to the dramatic growth in SNAP over the past five years when its annual expense in the federal budget doubled from $37 billion to $75 billion.18 The program costs more primarily because it is serving more Americans, 46 million today up from 28 million in 2008. SNAP is designed so that more families qualify for benefits in tough economic times, and then enrollment is expected to return to pre-recession levels when the economy fully recovers.Nevertheless, the Senate cut SNAP spending by $4 billion over

Potential Impact of the Farm Bill on Rhode Island

Farm Bill Proposal (House version)

Proposed Changes Decrease SNAP benefit levels and limit eligibility

National Impact Benefits reduced for 500,000 households and 1.8 million people cut from the program

Savings for Federal Budget

$16 billion over ten years

Impact on Rhode

Islanders Benefits reduced for up to 30,000 households and 12,200 individuals cut from the program

Impact on Federal SNAP Spending in RI

loss of $50 million per year (18 percent)

Endnotes 1 Rhode Island Labor Force Statistics, Rhode Island Department of labor

and Training, September 2012.

2 Regional and State Employment and Unemployment Summary, Bureau of labor Statistics, U.S. Department of labor, September 2012.

3 Total SNAP Participation, Rhode Island Department of Human Services, 2012.

4 Coleman-Jensen, A., Nord, M., Andrews, M. and Carlson, S., Household Food Security in the United States in 2011, Economic Research Service, USDA, September 2012.

5 Program Benefits, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 2012.

6 SNAP: Average Monthly Benefit per Household, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 2012.

7 WIC Program Participation, Rhode Island Department of Health, 2012.

8 WIC Program: Average Monthly Benefit per Person, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 2012.

9 Hillier, A., Mclaughlin, J., Cannuscio, C., Chilton, M., Krasny, S. and Karpyn, A., The Impact of WIC Food Package Changes on Access to Healthful Food in 2 Low-Income Urban Neighborhoods, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, volume 44, 2012.

10 School Meals Participation, Rhode Island Department of Education, 2012.

11 Healthier School Meals: A Summary of the New USDA Standards for School Breakfast and Lunch, Food Research and Action Center, 2012.

12 SFSP Participation, Rhode Island Department of Education, 2012.

13 Joyce, K., Breen, A., Ettinger de Cuba, S., Cook, J. and Barrett, K., Household Hardships, Public Programs, and Their Associations with the Health and Development of Very Young Children: Insights from Children’s HealthWatch, Journal of Applied Research on Children: Informing Policy for Children at Risk, 2012.

14 Seligman, H., laraia, B. and Kushel, M., Food Insecurity is Associated with Chronic Disease among Low-Income NHANES Participants, Journal of Nutrition, 2011.

15 lee, J. and Frongillo, E., Nutrition and Health Consequences are Associated with Food Insecurity among U.S. Elderly Persons, Journal of Nutrition, 2001.

16 Overweight and Obesity in Rhode Island, Behavioral Risk Factor Sur- veillance System, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012.

17 Flynn, M. and Schiff, A., Research Brief: Food Insecurity is Decreased by Adopting a Plant-Based, Olive Oil Diet, Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition, 2011.

18 SNAP Participation and Costs, Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, 2012.

19 Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act, House Committee on Agriculture, U.S. House of Representatives, July 2012.

20 Higginbottom, H, Protecting the Top, Hurting the Hungry, Office of Management and Budget, 2012.

10 years, reducing SNAP benefits for approximately 500,000 households by $90 per month. The House makes these same cuts and, in addition, ends benefits for 1.8 million Americans, mainly low-income working families. The House proposal chops SNAP spending by $16 billion over ten years.19

Reduced Benefits Would Impact Rhode Island EconomyIf the House version of the Farm Bill is enacted, 12,200 Rhode Islanders will lose eligibility and up to 30,000 enrolled house-holds will have their benefits reduced by $90 per month.20 Whereas SNAP benefits to Rhode Islanders totaled $275 million last year, the House would lower SNAP spending in Rhode Island by approximately $50 million per year. This reduction would im-pact Rhode Island’s economy while making it more challenging for thousands of Rhode Islanders to put food on the table.

Action Steps• Urge Members of Congress to re-work the

Farm Bill and protect thousands of Rhode Island households from harmful cuts to SNAP.

•Hire more SNAP caseworkers to reduce caseloads and improve customer service at DHS offices.

• Increase state funding for the Food Bank to meet the high demand at food pantries.

• Offer hands-on nutrition education at food pantries throughout the state.

• Conduct outreach at food pantry sites to encourage all eligible families to enroll in WIC and SNAP.

• Ensure that Rhode Island schools receive higher federal payments when they offer healthier meals to students.

• Promote summer meal programs in low-income communities to reach more hungry children. T

hree years after the official end of the Great Recession, the Rhode Island economy remains anemic. The number of employed Rhode Islanders has declined sharply, and the state has the second highest unemployment rate

in the country. People who have been jobless for months are now losing their unemployment benefits and their only source of income. Without work or enough income, thousands of Rhode Island households are unable to afford adequate food. In record num-bers they are turning to government and charitable food assis-tance programs. Each month, 66,000 people are served at food pantries that receive supplies from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. But food donations are down, so the Food Bank now must raise more money to purchase food in order to keep up with the statewide need. The Food Bank’s strategic plan antici-pates a growing gap between the supply and demand for donated food over the next three years.

Urgent Action Required to Save the Safety Net

RhodeIslandCommunityFoodBank,200NianticAvenue,Providence,RI02907•Phone:(401)942-6325•www.rifoodbank.org

The Food Bank’s strategic plan anticipates a growing gap between the supply and demand for donated food over the next three years.

As a state, we must advocate to stop Congress from weakening the nutrition safety net.

Another result of the Great Recession is that more Rhode Island families are eligible for federal nutrition programs. State workers, managing enormous caseloads, play a critical role in helping eligible families receive SNAP, WIC, school meals and summer meals. Along with preventing hunger, these programs bring millions of federal dollars to Rhode Island, directly benefit-ing local supermarkets, grocery stores and schools.

Unfortunately, Congress is proposing to slash SNAP by reduc-ing benefits and limiting eligibility in the Farm Bill. These cuts will increase food insecurity and hunger in Rhode Island at a time when charitable programs are already at capacity. As a state, we must advocate to stop Congress from weakening the nutrition safety net.

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