NEW USDA STATSTICS CONFIRM ESCALATING HUNGER CRISIS IN VERMONT
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2009
For more information, contact:
Judith Stermer
Vermont Foodbank
w. 802-477-4108
c. 802-505-0699
NEW USDA STATSTICS CONFIRM ESCALATING HUNGER CRISIS IN VERMONT
Barre, VT-More Vermonters are facing empty cupboards as winter approaches. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) annual report released today, 12.1 percent of Vermont's households-close to 1 in 8 Vermonters-struggling with hunger or "food insecurity," a significant increase over last year's report. Food insecurity is the USDA term describing households that lack consistent access to nutritious foods.
"These are alarming numbers. It is tragic that so many people in Vermont don't have regular access to food," said Sayles. "It is important to note that the USDA numbers reflect the state of the Vermont in 2008. Since then, we've had a disastrous economic decline, and there are likely many more people struggling with hunger than this report states."
Around the state, Foodbank Network Partners are confirming the USDA report. In Windham County, Our-Place Drop-In Center in Bellows Falls is reporting a substantial increase in demand for their services. Susan Shea, Executive Director of Our Place said, "We served 53 percent more meals in October 2009 than in October 2008, and during the first 10 months of this year, we have seen 19 percent more people using our food shelf." And during this time of increase demand, Shea reports a lull in donations. "Our clients are grateful for the services that we provide-its vital that we keep up with the demand."
According to the USDA's 2006-2008 data, 5.7 percent of Vermont's households are considered to have "very low food security." People in this category experience more severe problems with hunger and are frequently cutting back or skipping meals. The number of Vermont households affected by this most severe form of hunger has shown a significant annual increase; more than doubling since the 1996-98 report, when 2.7% of Vermont households were in this category.
At the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf, demand is up significantly over last year. Rob Meehan, Director said "We have been serving 1,000 more individuals each year for the past two years in a row." Meehan noted that the Food Shelf is seeing more people who have been recently laid off from their jobs and an ever increasing refugee and immigrant population. "The Foodbank's donations and Urgent Food Program are essential to our ability to keep pace with the growing demand."
The Vermont Foodbank and its network of 280 food shelves, meal sites, senior centers and after-school programs are preparing for what is shaping up to be a tough winter.
To read the full report, Household Food Security in the United States, 2008, go to: http://ers.usda.gov/Publications/ERR83/
About the Vermont Foodbank
Located in Barre, the Vermont Foodbank is the state's largest hunger relief organization, serving a network of 280 partners, consisting of food shelves, food pantries, senior centers, shelters and after-school programs, that assist 66,000 Vermonters each year. In FY 2009, the Vermont Foodbank distributed nearly 7.5 million pounds of food to its Network Partners around the state. The Foodbank is a member of Feeding America, the country's largest charitable hunger-relief organization. For additional information about the Vermont Foodbank, facts on hunger and poverty, recent articles on the issue, or to find a food shelf in your community please visit us on the web at http://www.vtfoodbank.org/
