Hunger in the U.S. is preventable, yet more than 33 million adults and 16 million children live in food insecure households where members do not always know where they will find their next meal. Experts estimate that hunger costs the United States over $90 billion annually in decreased productivity, illness and hospitalization, stunted educational attainment, and other costs.
For children, the implications of nutritional deficiencies are long-lasting. They include impaired mental and physical development as well as behavioral and emotional difficulties that play out in school. For adults, healthy diet and nutrition are important components in preventing and managing chronic illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Promising approaches that reduce hunger and improve health exist at the local, regional, and national levels. In this section, we offer a case example of one promising approach for emergency food provision, along with descriptions of other promising approaches for health and hunger-focused food donors.
Promising Approach
Emergency Food Provision with “Waste Not, Want Not” Model and Choice
WHAT IS IT? The traditional food bank model involves community members donating food to food drives while volunteers assemble identical boxes of food to be distributed to food bank clients. The most efficient and effective emergency food providers have made two changes to that model. First, rather than relying solely on donated food purchased at retail prices, they access food that has been donated by the food industry that would have otherwise gone to waste. This is the waste-not, wantnot component. Second, rather than assemble identical packages of food that may or may not meet the clients’ dietary or cultural needs, food banks invite clients to select their own food from supermarket-style displays. Clients choose the food they will use, and food banks can quickly measure and assess client needs and preferences. This is the choice model.
RATIONALE Improving system efficiencies helps existing dollars go further, allowing emergency food providers to increase their reach and/or distribution area. By making a switch to food bank purchasing, and relying less on food donations and more on financial donations, hunger relief organizations can increase their capacity by as much as 20 times. Better meeting clients’ needs and preferences improves quality of life and may even save money for the least advantaged. What’s more, by preventing good food from being dumped, the model has been recognized not only for reducing hunger, but also for its environmental impact in reducing methane gas emissions from landfills.
EXAMPLE The choice model was pioneered by Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank (formerly Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank of West Michigan, Inc.); Philabundance Choice Food Pantry (Philadelphia, PA).
THINGS TO CONSIDER This approach, which works within the existing food system, is particularly well-positioned to address immediate hunger in a community. Donors interested in reducing food insecurity longer-term might consider solutions that seek to improve the food system, including investments in local retail options and increasing/improving access to federal benefits, like SNAP (formerly Food Stamps).
Other Promising Approaches
Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger
PROMISING APPROACH
Deliver emergency food more effectively through tactics such as:
- providing “waste not, want not” and client choice
- mobile food pantries
- services for homebound and other special needs populations
- ensuring school-aged children, who are eligible for free or reduced lunch, have access to food during the summer
EXAMPLE
- Waste Not, Want Not and Choice Pantry: Philabundance; Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank. (See also High Impact Philanthropy in the Downturn available at www.impact.upenn.edu.)
- Mobile Food Pantry: Philabundance Fresh for All
- Services for vulnerable populations: MANNA
- Intermediaries: Share Our Strength No Kid Hungry this Summer
RELATED IMPACTS
- Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
- Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
Extend food budgets of vulnerable families by linking eligible households to available benefits
- Benefits Data Trust (See also High Impact Philanthropy in the Downturn available at www.impact.upenn.edu.)
- Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
- Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
Test new models and pilot programs for hunger reduction. For example, consider those that offer alternative revenue and funding sources to maintain grocery stores in underserved communities
- Hybrid grocery store: Philabundance Fare and Square
- Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
- Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
- Vibrant Communities: Foster Community Engagement, Support Local Economies
Health & Hunger: Improve Health
PROMISING APPROACH
Help schools produce and serve healthier food
RELATED IMPACTS
- Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
- Environment: Reduce Waste, Contaminants & Emissions, Use Resources Sustainably
Provide incentives for healthier food choices under SNAP (formerly Food Stamps)
- Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
Support healthy food retailers (forprofit and nonprofit) to expand affordable, healthy food choices in low-income communities (e.g., corner stores, grocery stores, farmers’ markets)
- Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
- Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
- Vibrant Communities: Foster Community Engagement, Support Local Economies
Improve nutrition education programs to change eating behaviors and support active lifestyles
- Health & Hunger: Reduce Hunger, Improve Health
- Rights & Equity: Improve Worker Conditions, Improve Access to Food
- Vibrant Communities: Foster Community Engagement, Support Local Economies