For many Americans access to any food, healthy or not, is difficult. Today, 1 in 7 people in the U.S. struggle with food insecurity, or not always knowing where their next meal is coming from. Food insecurity – or what we might simply call hunger, is unfortunately present in almost every community across the country.
Which is why we created a program to help change that. Each year Tasty Bite gives away thousands of free organic seeds. All we ask is that you donate the excess to a nearby food pantry by using the AmpleHarvest.org locator. You’ll be helping yourself by eating healthy and donating healthy food to those who may not be able to afford it.
We’ll be posting more details about this year’s #goodseed program soon, but in the meantime, read below to learn more about food insecurities.
Who is hungry?
It’s more of a rhetorical question asked at a family gathering, but for many Americans, the question of “who is hungry” is real, but the answer is hard to come by.
Recent reports state as many as 50 million Americans experience food insecurity at some point during the year. These may be your neighbors, your co-workers, even your friends.
Before you think to yourself that no one is vulnerable in your neighborhood, consider these individuals that you come across everyday.
Seniors
Many seniors who live on fixed incomes, regularly visit food pantries to help make ends meet. Being prone to increased medical issues, the high cost of prescription drugs and medical care forces many seniors to choose between rent, prescriptions and food.
Children
Children are often the silent sufferers of hunger. Too ashamed to complain to friends, relatives and classmates, their hunger often goes unnoticed. For many children in low income households, the only meals they can count on are the ones they get at school. During the holidays and in the summer, all bets are off. By the way, 53% of Food Stamp participants are children.
The Underemployed
These are people who are working, sometimes multiple jobs, they make too much to quality for food assistance but not make enough to make ends meet. The end of the month can mean hard choices between paying rent, utilities, an unexpected medical bill or car expense – and buying food.
Don’t forget! Look out for updates later this month to find out which seeds we’re giving away this year and how you can take the pledge to be a #goodseed.
