Harry Zhang, Ph.D. Old Dominion University

Presented at 2018 Hunger Summit March 2nd, 2018

USDA’s Definitions Food Insecurity: ◦ “A household-level economic and social condition

of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” Hunger: ◦ “A potential consequence of food insecurity that,

because of prolonged, involuntary lack of food, results in discomfort, illness, weakness, or pain that goes beyond the usual uneasy sensation”

Food Insecurity Obesity

Source: adapted from monkywong.com

Poverty

Source: US Census Bureau (2017).

Prevalence of Obesity Among U.S. Adults by Sates, 2016

What Do We have? ◦ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ◦ Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) ◦ The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) ◦ Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) ◦ National School Lunch Program (NSLP) ◦ School Breakfast Program (SBP) ◦ Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) ◦ …

Why not enough? ◦ Treating the symptoms, not the root cause ◦ Fragmented system

It is difficult to eliminate the poverty BUT A systematic approach of food assistance is

possible ◦ To target the right at-risk households ◦ To identify the leading agency for coordination ◦ To deliver an effective campaign ◦ To evaluate and improve the program ◦ AND …