Food insecurity is not always obvious. Of those we serve, 97% have housing and 2/3 of households have a working adult. Children, parents, seniors, and veterans can all affected by food insecurity. Below, Houston Food Bank staff provide facts to correct the most common myths associated with food insecurity.
KATHERINE BYERS, Ph.D. Government Relations Officer
Myth: People who are facing food insecurity have spent their money on things they don’t need.
Fact: It is a myth that families who are food insecure cannot afford enough nutritious food because they spend money on trivial things. Surveys1 reveal that food insecurity often results in families having to make difficult decisions between paying for groceries and other necessities, such as medical care, housing, utilities, and transportation. These tradeoffs have significant consequences for family health and stability. The Houston Food Bank and our partners support policy changes that create affordable and safe housing, medical coverage, and access to healthy food to eliminate these dire choices between basic needs.
SHANNON SULLIVAN, RD, LD Health Promotion Specialist
Myth: People who are referred to as “overweight” or “obese” are not food insecure.
Fact: Food insecurity does not discriminate based on body size. Anyone, large or small, can experience food insecurity. All body sizes deserve access to balanced meals and safe food. Food insecurity shows up in many ways, and sometimes that means not having access to nutrient-dense food options or competing demands, like paying for food or medicine. In our programs at Houston Food Bank, we listen to the needs of our clients of all body sizes and aim to connect them to the resources they need.
JANICE LE CHW, CAP Referral Specialist
Myth: SNAP spending is out of control, an economic drain, or bad for the economy.
Fact: On the contrary, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) stimulates the economy, and this idea is supported by economists. Many families who are low-income will often have to choose between paying for food, shelter, transportation, or medicine. Because SNAP recipients receive support to meet their nutritional needs, it increases their personal purchasing power. SNAP is economic stimulus as funds are put back into the economy, quickly, for example, 97% of benefits are utilized within a month $1 in SNAP can generate about $1.70 in economic activity. SNAP also positively effects children – Research shows that access to SNAP at a young age leads to a greater likelihood of graduating high school, better preparing children for economic success. Overall, SNAP positively impacts the economy in multiple ways.2, 3, 4
SANDRA MANGINI, MA, Bilingual Adult Nutrition Education Coordinator & Chef
Myth: Older adults lose their appetite.
Fact: It is common for older adults to experience some reduction in their appetite. However, a complete loss of appetite is concerning and should be addressed with a healthcare professional. Additionally, simple causes such as a diminished sense of taste or dental issues may cause older adults to eat less, regardless of their appetite. A nutritious diet is needed at every age.
SAMANTHA POINDEXTER, Director of Quality Control
Myth: As the community has reopened less people are using food banks.
Fact: Houston Food Bank’s distribution increased 60% from March 2020 to April 2020 and continued to increase in the following months. We are now seeing the lasting effects of the pandemic and initial closures, the need is not decreasing. While our distribution rates have decreased slowly since the start of the pandemic s, we are still at staggering numbers. We ended fiscal year 2021 at a 100% increase in distribution from the year previous. We do not expect to return to pre-pandemic distribution levels until 2022.
References
1 Hunger in America 2014 Executive Summary, (Housing, utilities and transportation)
2 Debunking Myths About Food Stamps, National Consumers League
3 Policy Basics: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
4 SNAP and Kids Fact Sheet, No Kid Hungry