1. Food Hardship
A recently released study  showed the hardest hit markets for families not being able to afford adequate food.  The Orlando area ranked #10 in the nation for food hardship with 23.6% of the population struggling — higher than the State and national averages.

2. Childhood Hunger
Orlando has a higher percentage of children in poverty that are of school age than the rest of Florida or the overall United States. One in six children lives on the brink of hunger in Florida. The number is closer to one in four for Central Florida. Orlando: 23.3% vs. overall U.S.: 17%

3. The Meal Gap
A study released March 2011 shows that Central Florida ranks higher than the national average for a measurement of what percentage of the population is in need of food. This study also measured the Gap in terms of dollars needed to provide missing meals over the course of one year. For Central Florida the gap is $84,548,545.00.

4. Poverty Rate
For Central Florida, there are approximately 400,000 people living in poverty, almost 20% of the population. Just over 100,000 of that population are children.

5. Hunger Study
The Hunger Study for Central Florida measures several indicators every four years on the hunger landscape. One key measurement is the number of different people receiving help through our feeding programs. In 2004 the number of people was 298,000. When measured in 2009, it grew to 732,000 people….a 152% increase. This increase outpaces most parts of the country. Florida ranks #1 in Nation for increase in households struggling with hunger . Increase from 2004-2006 period of 8.9% to 14.2 % for 2007-2009.

6. 211 Calls
The number of 211 calls for help in Central Florida increased by 43% from 2009 to 2010. The increase continues in 2011. Food assistance is one of the top three requests.

7. Food Stamp (SNAP) Usage
SNAP usage has increased in Central Florida by 32.8% vs. the State average of 20.8% from 2009 – 2010.  One in six Floridians use Food Stamps. There was a 113% increase in Florida from 2007 -2009 in the number of people who lived in households that had no other cash income other than Food Stamps.

8. Unemployment
U.S = 8.9% rate vs.  Metro Orlando = 10.8%. Surrounding Counties in Central Florida have a rate as high as 12%.

9. Under- Employment
Florida ranks fifth in the nation as a percentage of people that are considered under-employed…. ranging from 21% – 24.9% . While we do not have Central Florida data, we believe this range fits or may be understated due to the heavy tourism base and the tens of thousands of low paying jobs related to that industry.

10. The Perfect Storm
All of the previous nine key indicators add up to a perfect storm of a dire situation. This data paints the picture of Central Florida’s dubious distinction as a geographic area in great need. When compared to other markets across the country, Central Florida, unfortunately, stands out as an area of higher need.

 
A really great way to fight hunger is to attend one of our regularly scheduled “Food for Thought” informational tours at either our Orlando or Volusia Branch locations. You’ll get a sense of how a Food Bank works and what an incredible difference we are able to make for people who are struggling to put food on the table.  We don’t ask for contributions at Food for Thought. Instead, we hope that our guests will be motivated to tell others about our mission, and be inclined to take action at some point in the future themselves. To look at available tour dates and to sign up online, please visit our Food for Thought page.

Dave Krepcho
CEO & President

Sources: Food Research and Action Center (Washington, DC 2010 Study), Center on Hunger (Echo Strategies), Hunger in Central Florida 2009 (USDA and Economic Research Services), U.S. Census Bureau, Florida Impact 2010, Heart of Florida United Way, Florida Department of Children & Families, New York Times / Florida Department of Children & Families, Gallup Poll, 2010

The New York Times has an ongoing editorial series focused on encouraging debate on a variety of relevant social topics. Recently the topic was about the perception that people receiving food stamps eat poorly.

Food Stamps: The Economics of Eating Well (source: New York Times)

I think this article provides a good summary of all of the major opinions on the issue. To chime in on the topic myself, my interviews with our clients show that the majority of food stamp recipients are using the benefit to access healthier food that they could not get otherwise.

As a food bank we can be limited to providing the community with whatever may be donated in a given week. The food stamp program is a great way for our clients to supplement the donated food with items that their family may not be able to get from a pantry. The next outreach step could include client education on how to best use their food stamp EBT cards to maximize nutrition and food stamp dollars.

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs

Based on a report released by the NYT on 11/29/09, a dramatic increase in Food Stamps is occurring due to the troubled economy.

Many of the new people receiving aid are folks who never dreamed of needing help six to 10 months ago. Cut back hours, job losses and meager job prospects are the driving forces behind these numbers.

Here’s how Central Florida rates:              

Orange      Osceola      Seminole      Lake      Volusia      Brevard
+71%            +74%           +65%         +87%       +75%         +76%

Change since 2007 / percentage increase in usage

These are some of the highest increases in the entire country.

Dave Krepcho
President/CEO
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida

This past Saturday our Benefits Connection food stamp outreach team participated in an large scale workshop and information session for homeowners facing foreclosure.

 Hundreds of people attended the event organized by the state of Florida and many of them were able to find assistance with our team.

Many people are surprised with the face of hunger in our community. Many of the families and individuals we help are employed, yet unable to make ends meet. Layoffs, cutbacks, and medical emergencies are making it more and more challenging for people to provide food to their family.

Because of these economic challenges, our Benefits Connections team has been asked to participate in more and more unexpected outreach events. This month alone we’ll be providing outreach at large businesses, libraries, resource fairs, and schools. This is above and beyond the community centers, church pantries, and nonprofits that we normally provide help to.

If you’re interested in learning more about our Benefits Connection program (or are interested in one of those awesome Second Harvest toast shirts our team is modeling) please contact me.

For more information about where our Benefits Connection Team will be at during the rest of the month, please call our main number 407-423-7333.

Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs
bkoch@foodbankcentralflorida.org

The Orlando Sentinel picked up an associated press story about a new study that reveals that, after analyzing 30 years of food stamp data, about 49 percent of all children were on food stamps at some point by the age of 20. This aligns with our own food stamp outreach efforts through Benefits Connection. 31% of all people impacted by our program are children.
 
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/nationworld/sns-ap-us-med-children-food-stamps,0,2982901.story
 
Imagine the consequences of 49% of children not having access to  food through the food stamp program. Hunger is not just a social problem, it’s a medical problem that leads to malnutrition in children.

As learned in research and firsthand accounts through our Hi-Five program, kids with access to healthy food perform better in school. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP or food stamps) is one of the largest safety nets for families and individuals living in poverty. As the benefit allows each family to select food that is best for their children’s nutrition, it’s also ensuring healthier kids.
 
Brady Koch
Director of Agency Relations & Programs