Introduction
Increasing population size causes US social, economic, and environmental stress. Limited access to nutritious and healthy food, evident as food insecurity, deteriorates the lives of the most vulnerable social groups, such as seniors and children. Lower nutrient intakes are associated with health risks and cognitive problems, causing short-term and long-term detrimental consequences. The more the US experiences economic fluctuations, the more its citizens need secure food distribution, raising the importance of national and federal assistance programs.
Food Insecurity in New York
Food insecurity is an acute social issue in high-income states such as New York for frail groups such as children, people with disabilities, and older adults. One in ten households suffers from this problem, accounting for 10.3% of the federal population. This percentage is the highest for 32.1% of people below the poverty line. They are followed by single-mother families, children, and households of underrepresented races such as African Americans and Hispanics.
The condition becomes more complicated with inflation, meaning that assisting programs shrink in duration. Even before this massive closure, New Yorkers, especially the unemployed younger population, had no access to food pantry programs due to high entry requirements and a lack of food quantity. Hence, all vulnerable groups experiencing financial hardship are heavily affected by food insecurity.
Consequences of Limited Access to Nutritious Food
A lack of nutritious food leads to several problems. Children are more likely to have congenital disabilities, anemia, and aggression. Due to poor cognitive capacity, they struggle to achieve academic excellence. Meanwhile, adults are more frequently hospitalized with asthma, suicide, and depression.
However, seniors become even more vulnerable as their health complications and age stereotypes worsen their condition. Moreover, they deal with hypertension, diabetes, and sleep disturbances. As a result, all groups become more socially isolated, less productive, and less financially successful.
Governmental Efforts
Governments at all levels try to address food insecurity to save populations from health and life risks. Although the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in 1964, its importance has increased in the last two decades by supplying 44 billion people 2016 through authorized retail food outlets.
If a family’s income does not exceed 130% of the poverty line and total assets have less value than $200, then the family is eligible. Its contribution is only $1.40 per person, saving 55% of households in deep poverty. Despite all governmental and institutional efforts, food insecurity persists in the US.
Federal and Local Programs
New Yorkers were also introduced to several federal and local food assisting programs to ensure their nutrition was not jeopardized after the pandemic’s economic downturns. Since recipients of the Federal Tax Child Credit have experienced more declines in food insecurity, the government has considered renewing this federal policy for New Yorkers. It guarantees that low-income families spend less money on taxation but afford more food. One of the local programs is Nourish New York, which connects agricultural products and food banks, redirecting food to families in need. As this program receives more federal and national recognition, many food distribution companies fund it.
Community Nutritionists’ Role
The causes and consequences of food insecurity might be relieved by community nutritionists and their substantive assistance initiatives. For example, they can start by spreading awareness, educating, and cooperating with local government to make farmer markets and grocery stores available. Nutritionists should create a similar list to the Thrifty Food Plan, including foods with lower prices but better nutrition standards for each city. According to it, low-income households will manage their purchases and meet their needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, food insecurity is the unavailability of safe, sufficient, and nutritious food for specific group members. As the financial burden increases, seniors, children, and unemployed people cannot meet their nutrition needs, suffering from chronic diseases, malnutrition, and unproductivity. Governments trying to address such social heterogeneity have established several aids, such as SNAP, that supply populations with food. In order to further address this problem, they should collaborate with nutritionists and farmers to diminish the causes and consequences of food insecurity.
References
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Keith-Jennings B, Llobrera J, Dean S. Links of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with food insecurity, poverty, and health: evidence and potential. American Journal of Public Health, 2019;109(12):1636-1640. Web.
Office of the Budget Policy and Analysis. New Yorkers in need: Food insecurity and nutritional assistance programs. Web.