Is America Hungry
The United State of America ranks globally third both in population and area . It stands first as far as the economy ( GDP ) is concerned . It is supposed to be one of the most advanced countries and also the biggest superpower in the world . It is a dream destination for most of the people and a land of huge opportunities , at least for those from the developing countries . The present Covid 19 pandemic which has played havoc in the world has not spared any single nation . But ironically a much better placed country the USA has been the worst sufferer in terms of casualties and economy as well . But can America be hungry too ? The short answer will be ‘ yes ‘ . Let us see some facts about it .
Although people in the USA had faced food insecurity / hardship earlier also but it was less than the crisis in the prevailing pandemic . Gallup inc. is an USA based analytic company , it conducted a survey of more than three lakh households in 2016 -17 . The food hardship rate was 15.1 % in the previous year which rose to 15.7 in 2017 . Households with children are more vulnerable to hunger than those without children .
This richest country in the world is facing a harsh reality of hunger among a sizable population . Due to Covid 19 pandemic many industries , offices and establishments have suffered a lot in terms of their business and revenue . Tourism industry has been among the worst hits leading to loss of business of travel , restaurants and hotel industries . Other sufferers are Salons , entertainment industries spas and beauty parlours This has resulted in closures , layoffs and cut in working hours leading to unemployment and reduced wages . Millions of the people are facing hunger and knocking at doors of food banks to get free food . Among such people many are those who were once well to do and high wage earners . Hunger forced them to stand in the queue to get food aid. It’s very embarrassing for them and particularly for the first timers , but they can’t see their dependents hungry or starving . Food banks across the country are struggling to face increasing demands. Associated Press data reveals the quantum of food aid needs has increased sharply in the year 2020.This is the worst scenario which was not seen even during the great recession 2007 -09 .
For Those needing food aid , naturally their first choice will be the neighbourhood they are residing in . Many have to go to Family Resource Centers and / or Shelf Food Organisations . There are such organisations which are giving monthly boxes of fruits , vegetables , other eatables and other essential goods .
Feeding America is the biggest organisation in the field of anti hunger meant to feed hungry Americans through hundreds of their food banks . As per Associated Press , In the current pandemic crisis alone they have supplied 4200 crore of meals to needy ones . This means a 60 % increase in the same period . Amongst these about 40 % of the food seekers were first timers .
As per Feeding America estimates the number of people facing hunger in 2019 was 35 million ( 350 lakhs ) which is expected to be 50 to 54 millions in the year 2020 . Some states are worst hit in the Covid 19 crisis e.g. Nevada is such a state whose economy depends largely on Tourism . The pandemic has derailed its great hotel , restaurants and gambling business . Nevada’s Las Vegas or popularly known as Vegas is known as the entertainment capital of the world . About 50 million people visited here last year but this year hotels are empty . Vegas has the most number of 5 star hotels in the world . The other four major hunger struck states are - Mississippi , Louisiana , Alabama and Arkansas where about 20 % people are food insecure .
Parents and children wait in the queue for food aid . Despair can be seen on the faces of such people who are not sure of their next meal . According to the Food Research & Action Center of America almost 25 % of people doń’t have enough to eat in this pandemic . Situation is slightly better in the case of whites and other Asians families - 1 out of 15 . Black and Latinos have been the worst sufferers in terms of death , infection and unemployment / job loss . Unemployment rose sharply in Latinos almost 19 % .
Anti hunger groups have requested the government for a 15 % increase in the food aid program which comes as Food Stamps . Food stamp is a federal program run by SNAP ( Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ) . SNAP enables about 9.5 millions low income Americans to get food on their tables . Even some those receiving social security and unemployment benefits have to depend on food aid .Millions are defaulters on house rent or EMIs or credit card bill payments .
The article does not aim to present a grim situation in the USA . The same situation is almost in most places due to Covid crisis this year . People might think a great economy like the USA is not affected badly . The USA is a huge country with huge potential to address its problems . But on the other hand it is also true that there is a huge food wastage in the USA .According to the USDA ( US department of Agriculture ) almost 40 % of food supply is wasted annually here ( from fields to end points involving farm , transportation , handling , storage , processing , packaging and distribution ) . According to the World Research Institute farmers , hotels and restaurants , government and private institutions and even common households can play a role in preserving food waste and harness the resources so that it could reach needy ones.
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