Food Insecurity Hits Pandemic Levels Again, Warns Hunger Coalition: What You Need to Know

According to the San Diego Hunger Coalition, the number of people in the county lacking consistent access to food has surged to levels reminiscent of the COVID-19 pandemic. They study food insecurity, which means not getting three healthy meals a day, using data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This data helps determine what individuals need to earn for a nutritious diet.

The coalition links this rise in food insecurity to the growing cost of living and cuts in funding. “Food should be a basic right,” says Kendrick from the coalition. “Many in our community are hungry.” After a brief dip at the pandemic’s start, food insecurity has been on the rise again. Currently, about 26% of people in San Diego County are food insecure, a situation not seen since 2020.

This lack of access to healthy meals can lead to serious health issues like diabetes and hypertension, especially among children. Kendrick emphasizes, “It impacts how children grow and develop.” To address this, the Hunger Coalition is considering both immediate and long-term solutions.

In the short term, Kendrick suggests enrolling more people in programs like CalFresh, which need stable funding. For a long-term fix, he advocates for raising wages so that everyone can afford three healthy meals a day. “A living wage is crucial,” he explains.

Feeding San Diego, another nonprofit focused on this issue, has seen a sharp increase in families needing assistance. Recently, about 20,000 households attended their food distribution events.

Local leaders are also stepping up. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors recently approved a $500,000 grant for the San Diego Food Bank, along with $250,000 for the construction of the SunCoast Market Co-Op in Imperial Beach. This funding aims to help residents facing food insecurity and boost the local food economy.

“Access to nutritious food is a basic human right, not a privilege,” says Supervisor Montgomery Steppe. She explains that when families must choose between food, rent, and medication, it highlights a broken system. This funding is part of a commitment to correcting long-standing inequalities in the food system.

Anderson, another supervisor, echoed the need for strong community partnerships to tackle the rising demand for assistance. He believes their collaborative efforts will significantly help families in need.

However, there’s a pressing concern: the San Diego Food Bank has reported a 40% drop in federal food assistance due to cuts from the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program. This substantial decline has made it harder for them to keep up with the needs of over 400,000 residents they serve each month.

The grants will help the Food Bank recover over 1.8 million pounds of lost food items, such as dairy products, ensuring that vulnerable populations, including students, seniors, veterans, and working families, get the nutrition they need.

The funding for SunCoast Market Co-Op is aimed at improving food access in an area where up to 60% of residents face food insecurity. Set to open this summer, the market will serve local members and strengthen economic development in the community.

This highlights an urgent issue: the increasing rates of food insecurity and the need for community-driven solutions. It’s a challenge that requires collaboration among local government, nonprofits, and residents to create a stronger safety net for everyone.

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Food & Drink