Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture released the 2007 food insecurity numbers. In 2007, more than 36.2 million Americans struggled against hunger, up from 35.5 million in 2006 and 33.2 million in 2000. The number of people in the worst-off category – the hungriest Americans – has risen by nearly one third since 2000, from 8.5 million to 11.9 million. The number of children considered to have “very low food security” rose by more than 50 percent from 2006 to 2007.

Click here for FRAC’s press release.

To assist you in your media efforts, FRAC has prepared a model press release and other supporting materials for your use.

Model press release (available in Word): Click here.

Food insecurity by state (rank): Click here.

Food insecurity by state (change from previous year): Click here.

FRAC’s August 2008 SNAP/Food Stamp participation rates: Click here.

FRAC will host a policy briefing on Wednesday, November 19th to discuss the new numbers. If you think this would be of interest to your local media, we included information about the event in the model release. A call-in number is available for out-of-town media. For more information about the event, click here.

If you have any questions about the numbers or the release, please contact Jennifer Adach at 202-986-2200 x3018 or Rachel Cooper at 202-986-2200 x3014.