Food Insecurity Case Study

Introduction The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”1 Nearly 12% of people living in Virginia are considered food insecure, and these rates are even higher in the southeastern portion of the state. The cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth have food insecurity rates close to 19%.2 Many of these individuals are children, and the effects of childhood hunger are often detrimental on a child’s development. Their growth may be hindered, academics may suffer, and overall well-being may be compromised. 3 Another side effect from childhood hunger is one not observed until adulthood. One study in particular has established a link between childhood hunger episodes and overall satisfaction with life. A total of 4950 adults aged 50+ were surveyed in 11 European countries. Researchers probed subjects with questions pertaining to childhood hunger and when the episodes occurred. A strong and significant relationship was found between starvation as a child and not being satisfied later in life. The study also demonstrated the likelihood of experiencing low socioeconomic status as adults when disadvantaged as a child.4 Poverty can be blamed for many but not all cases of food insecurity. Unemployment and underemployment are root causes of food insecurity in the United States.5 In today’s ever-changing economy, a job can quickly be lost. Many Americans have no choice but to work in jobs that do not pay enough to support their family. They often find themselves wondering where they will find money for their next meal and sometimes have to choose between paying bills and feeding their family. Fortunately, local agencies are setup to tackle childhood food insecurity. The Child Nutrition Department at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia (SEVA) and the Eastern Shore helps feed hungry children in six cities: Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and Franklin. They operate two core programs: The BackPack Program and Kids Café.6 The BackPack Program is a national program sponsored by Feeding America. The Foodbank of SEVA and the Eastern Shore launched this program in 1995. The program targets students that qualify for the National School Lunch …show more content…
As a nonprofit organization, they rely heavily on the work of volunteers. In the Child Nutrition Department, volunteers mostly work to pack and deliver backpacks for the BackPack program. The department employs only 3 people, so they appreciate skilled volunteers when they become available, especially those with a nutrition background. The Child Nutrition Manager requested a nutrient analysis of the Kids Café meals and BackPack meals. She has asked that the BackPack handouts be redesigned to illustrate important nutrition principles for both the children and their parents. She has also asked for an allergen breakdown for all products in the warehouse so that she can have quick access to allergen information. One last overarching project will be attending “Healthy People, Healthy Suffolk,” a mobile pantry event in which a healthy recipe is demonstrated, and the ingredients for the recipe are distributed to those in need. All of these projects will be completed over the course of the practicum. Assistance will also be given in the office making phone calls, filing paperwork, proofreading, and completing any additional tasks required of the Child Nutrition Manager and Child Nutrition