If you were to do a further analysis of the USDA data then:
The prevalence of food insecurity varied considerably among household types.
Rates of food insecurity were higher than the national average (14.9 percent)
for the following groups:
- All households with children (20.6 percent),
- Households with children under age 6 (21.9 percent),
- Households with children headed by a single woman (36.8 percent),
- Households with children headed by a single man (24.9 percent),
- Black, non-Hispanic households (25.1 percent),
- Hispanic households (26.2 percent), and
Low-income households with incomes below 185 percent of the
poverty threshold (34.5 percent; the Federal poverty line was $22,811 for a
family of four in 2011). (USDA ERS) If
you only look at those who are classified as very low food insecurity defined
by the USDA as “In these food-insecure households, normal eating patterns of
one or more household members were disrupted and food intake was reduced at
times during the year because they had insufficient money or other resources
for food. In reports prior to 2006, these households were described as
"food insecure with hunger". This makes the overall picture for
Americans look even bleaker for the following groups:
- Households with children headed by a single woman (11.5 percent),
- Households with children headed by a single man (7.5 percent),
- Women living alone (7.9 percent) and men living alone (8.0 percent),
- Black, non-Hispanic households (10.5 percent),
- Hispanic households (8.3 percent),
- Households with incomes below 185 percent of the poverty line (14.2 percent), and
- Households located in principal cities of metropolitan areas (6.8 percent).
Poverty is the big common denominator among all Americans receiving
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). In 1992 the Federal Poverty
line for a family of 4 was $13,950. (SSA Bulletin, Spring 1992) In 2011, the
Poverty line was $22,500 for a family of 4; and this is gross income (before
any income or FICA taxes are withheld. For 2011 this amounts to $11.25 per hour
and in 1992 it was $6.98 per hour. For example in Florida minimum wage is $7.67
in 2011 and $3.25 in 1992. US Census data from 2001 through 2003 indicated that
31% of people lived in poverty for at least two months of tha time period and a
little over 11% lived in poverty for a whole year. From 2004 to 2006 28.3%
lived in poverty for at least two months of that period and 2.8 % during the
whole time period. In 2009 the average people living below the poverty level
was 14.3% and in 2010 it increased to 15.3% and in 2011 15.9%. 4.7% of adult
children lived with their parents as of 2010 data. Data released in November of
2011 showing that 1 of 3 Americans live in poverty or slightly about the
defined threshold or about 100 million Americans. In fiscal year 2010 40.3
million people received some form of nutritional benefits at a cost of $64.7
billion. These are real people who work, they are not freeloaders. They pay
taxes and contribute to the economy.
Hunger and Poverty is a national disgrace. This country
produces more food than consumed. Every day people waste enough food to help
others. This problem starts at the top and goes down. It is not red or white,
democrat or republican, even neither liberal nor conservative. It is a national
problem that needs real solutions. Churches, synagogues, Islamic prayer
centers, and Buddhist temples need to help provide input. Towns, cities,
counties, and states need to stop political maneuvering and come to the table
to look at ways to help solve problem. Congress and political candidates need
to quit distorting the facts and once in the history of this country and tell
the truth on their ideas in solving these issues, not political rhetoric.
“In a country well governed, poverty is something to be
ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.” Confucius
