Hunger & Poverty Coping Strategies

Key Issues to Consider Define vulnerability to hunger in the United States and in lesser developed countries Note that marginalized, indigenous populations, the disenfranchised, landless, illiterate, & uneducated are most at risk

Conclusion: Three Nested Concepts No current hunger, but vulnerability to it It can take many forms, including Protein Energy Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies Food Insecurity HungerUnder-nutrition

Food Security Framework Hunger status Inadequate food Availability Elements of vulnerability Physical and environmental risks Physical and environmental risks Economic and market risks Economic and market risks Social and health risks Social and health risks Inappropriate food utilization Inadequate food access

Chronic, Acute, or Hidden Hunger Chronic Hunger Occurs when people suffer from hunger for long periods. Hunger becomes their normal condition. Acute Hunger Occurs when people suffer from hunger for short periods, usually due to shocks such as drought or conflict Hidden Hunger Occurs when people lack essential micronutrients, even if the consume adequate amounts of calories and protein

Hunger in the USA The ability of people to obtain sufficient food for their household ( e.g. skipping meals or cutting back on the quality/quantity of food they purchase at the stores ) Recurring and involuntary lack of access to food can lead to malnutrition over time. Hunger, generally, in a less severe form, than in most developing countries.

Who are the food insecure in the US? Food insecurity affect certain groups more than others – Geographic – Socioeconomic – Demographic

The AUMC Food Pantry served its first visitor in September, 2000 Most of our visitors are female and represent a family of 2.5. In 2001, they served almost 400 families (an average of 18 visitors per week) In 2001, each visitor received about 50 pounds of food per visit. In 2009, they served almost 2,000 visitors (an average of 85 visitors per week) In 2009, each visitor received about 79 pounds of food per visit Local Auburn Example

Causes of Food Insecurity Food insecurity is linked to poverty which in turn is linked to underemployment, and the cost of housing and other basic needs

Other Causes Lack of affordable housing Lack of education and employment skills Insufficient community food resources Reluctance of people to accept charity Mental illness, depression, and loneliness Alcoholism and chronic substance abuse

Federal/State Nutrition Programs Help to provide a safety net for many low-income families National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program Federal Food Stamp Program (SNAP) Other Federal Programs State Programs

Main Idea Hunger & Poverty are intimately linked

Hunger is a condition of poverty “Living below the poverty line puts tremendous strains on a household, giving families barely enough money to purchase healthy and nutritious foods, as well as other essentials of life. Nutrition research shows that as income goes down, the nutritional adequacy of the household's diet goes down as well.”

Coping Mechanisms Skipping meals Dumpster Diving Sharing among family members (e.g. milk) Utilizing emergency services Reliance on Family & Friends Note discrepancies found in the readings between rural vs. urban poverty & hunger

Further Discussion Reminder: Please read articles & participate in online discussion Major themes: Food Insecurity of Single Mothers Linkages between Poverty & Hunger Human Trafficking & Hunger

WFP Hunger Map See wfp.org website

Flood River-erosion Cyclone Major natural disasters that contribute to vulnerability Districts Vulnerable to Disasters

Livelihoods in Bangladesh are seriously affected by the extent of flooding every year TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE WRONG PLACES

Distress sale Seasonal migration for employment Sale of productive assets Loan/borrowing at high interest rates The northern part of Bangladesh is highly food insecure What do people do in a crisis? Sale of labor and crops in advance at cheap rate Survival Strategies of the Ultra-Poor

Other Coping Strategies in the Developing World Destitute farmers will begin eating their seeds, which cuts off their livelihood Urban migration – Begging – Human Trafficking – Major Stress on Family & Social Structures – Broken Family Unit – Illegal Immigration

How are Global and Domestic Hunger Similar? Hunger affects the poor - the hungry poor of any country Hunger in the US can be “transitory” Definition, location differs slightly Key issue is a country/government’s “tool kit” Affects women and children the most Negative affect on the national economy – opportunity costs of hunger

How are Global and Domestic Hunger Similar? When we look at human development we see similar trends for the hungry poor – Intergenerational cycles of hunger – Lack of access to education & resources – Negative effects of hunger on brain development – Weakening of the immune system – More prone to disease – Often the hungry poor are forced to make health vs. food decisions

How are Global and Domestic Hunger Similar? When we look at long term/societal impacts we see a similar trend – Intergenerational cycles of hunger within certain regions of society – Lack of access to education & resources continues this trend – Negative effects of hunger on brain development (i.e. less brain capital for positive societal contributions, low literacy rates,unemployment etc.)

How are Global and Domestic Hunger Similar? When we look at long term/societal impacts we see a similar trend – Weakening of the immune system & higher disease rates mean higher health costs for the general population to bear – Often the hungry poor are forced to make health vs. food decisions which keeps them from contributing to society