North Texas Food Bank Distribution Rises, Revealing New Story Of Hunger

May 27, 2009 at 2:43 pm (Press Release)
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Hunger is not a new issue, but it now has a new story. As the unemployment rate continues to climb, thousands of North Texans who never dreamed they would need help from a food bank are now having a hard time putting food on the table for the first time, in the wake of layoffs, lost savings and other financial hardships during the recession. The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is launching its first-ever summer awareness and fundraising campaign to help bolster public support and meet the growing community need.

Overall, the NTFB has distributed 3 million more meals this year compared to last year. Additionally, in the last six months member food pantries and other agencies to which the NTFB supplies food have seen a significant 35 percent jump in the number of new clients reaching out for help for the first time – - a possible indicator of how the economic downturn is impacting the middle income and working poor.

Starting this month, the organization is launching an aggressive campaign to help raise awareness and much needed funds. A first-of-its-kind summer fundraising focus for the NTFB, the campaign features billboard, radio and online PSAs with the touching new stories of today’s hunger, such as:

Twins at 24. Single mom at 27. Hungry Today.
Promoted at 29. Laid off at 34. Hungry Today.
Empty Nest at 57. Empty Pantry at 84. Hungry Today.

See the billboards here.

The PSAs also point out the hard-hitting and often surprising facts of the North Texas hungry. For example, 40 percent of households served by the NTFB have at least one employed adult.

“These new stories of hunger may be outside the stereotype, but they are all too real. We are urging the community to help out now more than ever, as the recession hits home for our neighbors – - the workers who once had steady jobs and find themselves suddenly out of work, or the single mothers who are scrambling to earn enough to put food on the table for their children,” explains NTFB President and CEO Jan Pruitt. “Whether a one-time donation or starting a virtual food drive through our Web site, everyone can help make a difference. Even just $1 feeds four hungry North Texans.”

Pruitt applauds both individual donations and corporate support for helping the NTFB to purchase and supply more food to the growing number of children, families and seniors who need food assistance, but points out that the usual lull in summer giving could impact services going forward.

“Hunger does not take a summer vacation,” explains Pruitt, “While we typically receive 47 percent of annual donations during the winter holiday season, the recession has made the need for year-round giving all the more urgent. We hope the summer campaign will bring the issue of hunger and our important mission to the forefront for the community.”

The summer campaign, developed by Dallas-based branding and creative agency RSW Creative, is part of NTFB’s new three-year Close the Gap initiative to unite the community in narrowing the food gap. Campaign billboards will run in high-profile locations such as the North Dallas Tollway at LBJ Freeway and Trinity Mills. PSAs will also run online and on local radio stations. Supporters can learn more about the campaign, make tax-deductible donations or find out about volunteer opportunities by visiting ntfb.org.

About North Texas Food Bank: The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a nonprofit hunger relief organization that distributes donated, purchased and prepared foods through a network of feeding programs in 13 North Texas counties. The NTFB supports the nutritional needs of children, families and seniors through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. Close the Gap is the NTFB’s 3-year initiative to unite the community to narrow the food gap by providing access to 50 million meals annually. Founded in 1982, the NTFB is a certified member of Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network). Last year 26 million meals were distributed. Each month agency pantries distribute food to more than 50,000 families and on-site meal programs serve 435,000 meals/snacks. Every dollar donated to the NTFB provides four meals for the hungry. Out of every dollar donated, 97 cents goes directly to hunger relief programs. To learn more about NTFB, visit ntfb.org.

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Hunger Awareness Month Report: A Roadmap for Child Nutrition

November 10, 2008 at 10:37 pm (Hunger Facts)
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Our Argument…

Texas has a child nutrition problem with two faces – obesity and hunger. These twin problems are being fought in the same low-income neighborhoods, and often in the same families. Both problems are “flip sides” of the same coin: a lack of healthy food in the home. Texas food banks and Kids Cafes are a direct source of food for many of these children. Utilizing food banks to distribute healthy foods will have the dual effect of reducing childhood hunger and increasing childhood health in Texas.

Our Evidence…

1)  Texas has a child nutrition problem with two faces – obesity and hunger.

Obesity:

·       19.1% of Texas children are medically obese, ranking sixth among states with the highest child obesity rates[i].

·       Texas schoolchildren also suffer from high rates of overweight[ii].

·       Texas schoolchildren become less fit as they age[iii], and are less likely to consume healthy food[iv].

·       As these children become adults, they will raise the number of obese Texas adults to 46.8% by 2025. This will lower productivity and increase health care costs that will contribute to a statewide cost to employers equaling $3.3 billion annually[v],[vi].

Hunger:

·       23.7% of Texas children are food insecure, living in households without enough food[vii].

·       Children in these households are more likely to have cognitive, motor[viii], emotional and behavioral problems[ix], exhibit multiple health deficiencies[x],[xi], and perform poorly in school[xii].

·       As these children become adults, they will exhibit lowered productivity and increased health care costs, contributing to a statewide cost of hunger equaling $9.8 billion annually[xiii].

2)  These twin problems are being fought in the same low-income neighborhoods, and often in the same families.

a.     Poverty is acknowledged as a “high-risk factor” for obesity in Texas youth[xiv].

b.     Among Texas school districts, hunger and lack of fitness are both associated with higher poverty rates[xv].

c.     Among Texas schoolchildren, Hispanic and African-American children are most likely to suffer from both hunger and overweight[xvi].

d.     Nationally, the highest obesity rates occur among the highest poverty groups[xvii].

e.     Food insecurity / poverty and overweight among children have been positively linked in several national studies[xviii],[xix],[xx],[xxi], [xxii].

3)  Both problems are “flip sides” of the same coin: a lack of healthy food in the home.

a.     31% of low-income Texans report being unable to feed their children balanced meals “sometimes” or “often”[xxiii]

b.     Low income families consume less fresh produce, which is associated with healthier weight and diet outcomes[xxiv].

c.     Without the means to purchase enough food, low-income families often adapt “coping” mechanisms such as reducing the quality of food purchased[xxv][xxvi].

d.     Such strategies make financial sense – energy-dense junk foods cost an average of $1.76 per 1,000 calories, while nutritious, fresh, unprocessed foods cost $18.16 per 1,000 calories[xxvii].

e.     In recent years, the cost of nutritious foods has risen faster than the price of junk food, pushing these items further out of the reach of low-income households[xxviii].

f.      Households served by Texas food banks average just $9,000 in annual income[xxix] – the average Texas household makes $44,922[xxx].

g.     The annual amount spent on nutritious foods (fruits, vegetables & protein) by Texas families making $9,000 a year is $794; the average Texas household spends $1,260 – a gap of $466.

4)  Texas food banks are a direct source of food for many of these children.

a.     33% of all clients served by Texas food banks are children, equaling more than 681,000 children served annually[xxxi].

b.     36% of all households served by Texas food banks include at least one child[xxxii].

c.     Texas food banks supply 80% of the food distributed by the majority of 3,600 agencies statewide[xxxiii], nearly all of which are directly located in low-income neighborhoods or rural communities.

d.     Special programs operated by Texas Food Banks (backpack programs, Kids Cafes) offer proven venues for attracting and feeding low-income children.

e.     State-subsidized programs like school meals and summer feeding programs typically only provide balanced nutrition to children during breakfast and lunch, and in a very limited fashion in the summer.

5)  Utilizing food banks to distribute healthy foods with have the dual effect of reducing childhood hunger and increasing childhood health in Texas.

a.     Cost of bringing food bank families’ diets up to the level of average Texans = # of families served[xxxiv] X 36% X $466

b.     The most effective public policy interventions to mitigate both obesity and hunger involve the direct distribution of healthy food or food-purchasing power[xxxv].

c.     Leveraging the buying power, efficiency, community trust, and reach into every county of the Texas food banks is sound public policy.

[i] 2007. “F as in Fat.” Trust for America’s Health, http://healthyamericans.org/reports/obesity2007/.

[ii] 2004. Holscher, D., et. al. “Measuring the Prevalence of Overweight in Texas Schoolchildren.” American Journal of Public Health. 2004 June; 94(6): 1002.

[iii] 2008. Data & press release. Texas Education Agency, http://www.tea.state.tx.us/press/08fitnessresults.pdf.

[iv] 2007. Perez, A., et. al. “Differences in Food Consumption and Meal Patterns in Texas School Children by Grade.” Preventing Chronic Disease. 2007 April; 4(2): A23.

[v] 2007. Combs, S. “Counting Costs & Calories.”

[vi] 2006. “Texas Obesity Policy Portfolio.” TX DSHS, http://dshs.state.tx.us/cpi/documents/obesityportfolio.pdf.

[vii] 2008. 2006 Current Population Survey data calculated by TFBN.

[viii] 2008. Rose-Jacobs, R., et. al. “Household food insecurity: Associations with at-risk infant and toddler development.” Pediatrics 2008; 121:65-72.

[ix] 2003. Stormer A and Harrison GG. “Does household food insecurity affect cognitive and social development of kindergarteners?” California Center for Population Research, University of California—Los Angeles, Nov. 2003. 

[x] 2004. Cook JT, Frank DA, Berkowitz C, et al. “Food Insecurity is Associated with Adverse Health Outcomes Among Human Infants and Toddlers.” Journal of Nutrition. 2004; 134:1432-1438.

[xi] 2006. Skalicky A, Meyers A, Adams W, et al. Child Food Insecurity and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Low-Income Infants and Toddlers in the United States. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2006;10(2):177-185. 

[xii] 1998. Kleinman, R., et. al. “Hunger in Children in the United States: Potential Behavioral and Emotional Correlates.” Pediatrics, Vol. 101 No. 1 January 1998, p. e3.

[xiii] 2007. Brown, L. “The Economic Cost of Domestic Hunger.” Sodexho Foundation, http://www.helpstophunger.org/economic_cost_of_hunger.asp.

[xiv] 2008. Castellon, M. “The Economics of Obesity in Texas: One Year Later.” Fiscal Notes, 5/08, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/fnotes/fn0805/obesity.html.

[xv] 2008. Texas Education Agency, Ibid.

[xvi] 2004. Holscher, D., et. al. Ibid.

[xvii] 2004. Drewnowski, A. & Spector, SE. “Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2004;79:6 –16, http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/79/1/6.pdf.

[xviii] 2001. Townsend, M., et. al. “Food Insecurity Is Positively Related to Overweight in Women.” Journal of Nutrition. 2001;131:1738-1745.

[xix] 1999. Olson, C. “Nutrition and Health Outcomes Associated with Food Insecurity and Hunger.” Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:521-524.

[xx] 2003. Jimenez-Cruz, A, et. al. “Obesity and hunger among Mexican-Indian migrant children on the US–Mexico border.” International Journal of Obesity (2003) 27, 740–747.

[xxi] 2002. “Food Insufficiency and Prevalence of Overweight Among Adult Women.” Nutrition Insights, USDA CNPP, http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/Publications/NutritionInsights/Insight26.pdf.

[xxii] 2005. Lin, B. “Nutrition and Health Characteristics of Low-Income Populations: Body Weight Status.” USDA Economic Research Service, http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aib796/aib796-3/aib796-3.pdf.

[xxiii] 2008. 2006 Current Population Survey data calculated by TFBN.

[xxiv] 2005. Guthrie, J., et.al. “Understanding Economic and Behavioral Influences on Fruit and Vegetable Choices.” Amber Waves, 4/05, USDA Economic Research Service, http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/April05/Features/FruitAndVegChoices.htm.

[xxv] 2007. Parker, S., et. al. “Food Choices and Coping Strategies During Periods of Perceived Food Shortage: Perspectives from Four Racial/Ethnic Groups.” Journal of Extension, Oct. 2007, 45(5), http://www.joe.org/joe/2007october/a6.shtml.

[xxvi] 2004. Drewnowski, A. & Spector, SE. Ibid.

[xxvii] 2007. Monsivais, P. & Drewnowski, A. “The Rising Cost of Low-Energy-Density Foods.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(12): 2071-2076.

[xxviii] 2007. Monsivais, P. & Drewnowski, A. Ibid.

[xxix] 2006. “Hunger In America 2006: State Report Prepared for Texas.” Mathematica, Inc., http://tashfb.org/Hunger%20in%20America%202006%20Texas%20Report.pdf.

[xxx] 2006. American Community Survey data. http://factfinder.census.gov.

[xxxi] 2006. Mathematica, Inc. Ibid.

[xxxii] 2008. Hunger In America 2006 data calculated by TFBN.

[xxxiii] 2008. Internal TFBN data.

[xxxiv] 2008. TEFAP data collected by TFBN.

[xxxv] 2006. TX DSHS. Ibid.

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Child Hunger & Obesity: Texas Twins, and Growing

October 28, 2008 at 2:34 am (Uncategorized)
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By Janie Singleton

President, Texas Food Bank Network

“An Epidemic of Obesity”
— Amarillo Globe-News

“Food Donations Needed to Keep up With Demand”
— San Antonio Express News

“Soaring Expenses Send Thousands of New Faces to Charities”
— Dallas Morning News

“Childhood obesity is serious problem requiring serious answers”
— Lubbock Avalanche-Journal

“Families, Children Showing up in Record Numbers at Food Bank”
— KETK Tyler

The recent drumbeat of headlines has been dramatic. At a glance, the health of Texan children appears to be under siege by two very different problems: obesity and hunger.

But look closer, and the two problems appear remarkably similar:

• One in five Texas children is medically obese (i).

• One in four Texas children lives in a household without enough food (ii).

• Texas schoolchildren suffer from high rates of overweight, becoming less fit (iii) and less likely to consume healthy food (iv) as they age.

• Children in households without enough food are more likely to have cognitive, motor (v), emotional and behavioral (vi) problems, exhibit multiple health deficienciesvii, viii and perform poorly in school (ix).

• As today’s children become adults, they will raise the number of obese Texas adults to 46.8%, lowering productivity and increasing health care costs to employers equaling $3.3 billion annually (x, xi).

• As today’s children become adults, they will also exhibit lowered productivity and increased health care costs as a result of hunger, contributing to a statewide cost equaling $9.8 billion annually (xii).

Why are these problems so similar? How are they linked?


“Flip Sides” of the Malnutrition Coin…Landing in the Same Hands

Why do hunger and obesity occur in the same communities, even the same families?

Poverty is a “high-risk factor” for obesity in Texas youth, as well as for hunger (xiii). Among Texas school districts, hunger and lack of fitness are both associated with higher poverty rates (xiv). Hispanic and African-American schoolchildren in Texas are the most likely to suffer from both hunger and being overweight (xv). Nationally, hunger, poverty and weight problems among children have been linked in many studies (xvi, xvii, xviii, xix, xx, xi).

Why is this? Both problems are “flip sides” of the same coin: a lack of healthy food in the home.

In 2006, 31% of low-income Texans reported being unable to feed their children balanced meals “sometimes” or “often”xxii. Without the means to purchase enough food, these families adapt “coping” mechanisms such as reducing the quality of food purchased (xxiii).

Sadly, such strategies make financial sense.

Energy-dense junk foods cost an average of $1.76 per 1,000 calories, while nutritious, fresh, unprocessed foods cost $18.16 per 1,000 calories. In recent years, the cost of nutritious foods has risen faster than the price of junk food, pushing these items further out of the reach of low-income families (xxiv). As an example, the average household served by the Texas Food Bank Network makes just $9,000 in annual income (xxv) – and spends only $794 on nutritious foods. In contrast, the average Texas household makes $44,922 annually (xxvi), and spends $1,260 on the same food – a gap of $466 (xxvii). As a result, low income families consume less healthy foods like fresh produce, which are associated with healthier weight and diet outcomes (xxviii).

“Fruits and vegetables are becoming luxury goods.”

—Adam Drewnowski, Nutritionist, University of Washington

Addressing Childhood Nutrition with Education and Access

The attention being paid to obesity and diet-related disease has resulted in several new initiatives to educate Texans on healthy eating. However, there has been very little attention paid to consumer access to these nutritious foods.

It makes little sense to lecture families on healthy eating if they do not have access to healthy food. These are the same families served by the Texas Food Bank Network. Every year, our nineteen food banks and food rescue organizations partner with over 3,600 local agencies to feed more than 681,000 children in low-income and rural communities across Texas.
Special programs like weekend backpacks, Kids Cafes, and family pantries offer proven venues for attracting and feeding children in need.

Demand for these programs has risen 11-12% in the last year alone (xxix).

According to a study by the Texas Department of State Health Services, the most effective interventions to lessen obesity and hunger should involve the direct distribution of healthy food or food-purchasing power (xxx). By harnessing the reach, efficiency and community trust of food banks to distribute healthy food, Texas can reduce childhood hunger and increase childhood health, ensuring a brighter future for our state.

Visit ntfb.org to help Close the Gap on Hunger.

Endnotes

i 2008. “F as in Fat.” Trust for America’s Health, PDF.

ii 2008. 2006 Current Population Survey data calculated by TFBN.

iii 2008. Data & press release. Texas Education Agency, PDF.

iv 2007. Perez, A., et. al. “Differences in Food Consumption and Meal Patterns in Texas School Children by Grade.” Preventing Chronic Disease. 2007 April; 4(2): A23.

v 2008. Rose-Jacobs, R., et. al. “Household food insecurity: Associations with at-risk infant and toddler development.” Pediatrics 2008; 121:65-72.

vi 2003. Stormer A and Harrison GG. “Does household food insecurity affect cognitive and social development of kindergarteners?” California Center for Population Research, University of California—Los Angeles, Nov. 2003.

vii 2004. Cook JT, Frank DA, Berkowitz C, et al. “Food Insecurity is Associated with Adverse Health Outcomes Among Human Infants and Toddlers.” Journal of Nutrition. 2004; 134:1432-1438.

viii 2006. Skalicky A, Meyers A, Adams W, et al. Child Food Insecurity and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Low-Income Infants and Toddlers in the United States. Maternal and Child Health Journal. 2006;10(2):177-185.

ix 1998. Kleinman, R., et. al. “Hunger in Children in the United States: Potential Behavioral and Emotional Correlates.” Pediatrics, Vol. 101 No. 1 January 1998, p. e3.

x 2007. Combs, S. “Counting Costs & Calories.”

xi 2006. “Texas Obesity Policy Portfolio.” TX DSHS, PDF.

xii 2007. Brown, L. “The Economic Cost of Domestic Hunger.” Sodexho Foundation, Webpage.

xiii2008. Castellon, M. “The Economics of Obesity in Texas: One Year Later.” Fiscal Notes, 5/08, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Webpage.

xiv2008. Texas Education Agency, Ibid.

xv2004. Holscher, D., et. al. Ibid.

xvi2004. Drewnowski, A. & Spector, SE. “Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2004;79:6 –16, PDF.

xvii2001. Townsend, M., et. al. “Food Insecurity Is Positively Related to Overweight in Women.” Journal of Nutrition. 2001;131:1738-1745.

xviii 1999. Olson, C. “Nutrition and Health Outcomes Associated with Food Insecurity and Hunger.” Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:521-524.

xix 2003. Jimenez-Cruz, A, et. al. “Obesity and hunger among Mexican-Indian migrant children on the US–Mexico border.” International Journal of Obesity (2003) 27, 740–747.

xx 2002. “Food Insufficiency and Prevalence of Overweight Among Adult Women.” Nutrition Insights, USDA CNPP, PDF.

xxi 2005. Lin, B. “Nutrition and Health Characteristics of Low-Income Populations: Body Weight Status.” USDA Economic Research Service, PDF.

xxii 2008. 2006 Current Population Survey data calculated by TFBN.

xxiii 2007. Parker, S., et. al. “Food Choices and Coping Strategies During Periods of Perceived Food Shortage: Perspectives from Four Racial/Ethnic Groups.” Journal of Extension, Oct. 2007, 45(5), Webpage.

xxiv 2007. Monsivais, P. & Drewnowski, A. “The Rising Cost of Low-Energy-Density Foods.” Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 107(12): 2071-2076.

xxv 2006. “Hunger In America 2006: State Report Prepared for Texas.” Mathematica, Inc., PDF.

xxvi 2006. American Community Survey data. Webpage.

xxvii 2007. BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey data calculated by TFBN.

xxviii 2005. Guthrie, J., et.al. “Understanding Economic and Behavioral Influences on Fruit and Vegetable Choices.” Amber Waves, 4/05, USDA Economic Research Service, Webpage.

xxix 2008. TFBN internal data.

xxx 2006. TX DSHS, Ibid.

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