Are you food insecure?

Nutrition from the Ground Up During Difficult Ecomomic Times

The current economy has added to existing struggles with poverty and hunger. In Clermont County, unemployment rates have increased to 9.7% and poverty rates effect approximately 9% of residents, or 17,593 individuals.  In 2008, 49 million US residents, including more than 16 million children, were at risk of hunger. According to a USDA report, nearly 15% of US households were food insecure in 2008, which was an increase from 11.1% in 2007. Food insecurity indicates a lack of money and other resources for nutritionally adequate food for all household members at some point during the year.

People who have limited access to nutritious foods or those who are food insecure, are more likely to suffer from poor health. “Nutrition from the Ground Up”, this year’s National Nutrition Month Campaign focuses on building and maintaining good health by accessing nutritionally adequate foods.

Individuals from food insecure households can access healthy foods by seeking assistance from:

• WIC a food and nutrition program for pregnant, post partum, breastfeeding women and children under the age of five years.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as Food Stamps, to get free foods at grocery stores.
• Angel Food Ministries offers food to feed a family of four for one week at a cost of $30. Food stamps are also accepted.
• Food pantries offer free foods
• School Lunch / Breakfast Program gives students a free or reduced lunch and/or breakfast at many local schools
• Summer Food Service Program provides a free lunch and snack to any child ages 1-18 years.
• OSU Extension Office, Family Nutrition Program teaches people how to prepare healthy, low-cost meals and plan a food budget