|
The State of Hunger in Vermont
Taking a closer look
In the United States, a country with so much wealth, it is inconceivable that there are people who struggle to meet their basic needs. And yet, hunger is a daily reality for Americans in every state. Organizations in Vermont are working hard to address the needs of the 21,000 children who are living in poverty or living in homes where adequate food is not always available. We have much work to do.
The extent of hunger
In Vermont, approximately 23,000 households (including 21,000 children) are hungry or “food insecure.” (Food insecurity is defined as a condition in which a family or an individual is unable to obtain enough safe and nutritious food from socially acceptable sources in order to lead an active and healthy life.) Even when enough food is available, it may be of poor quality and lack nutrients important for growth and good health. Although the number of students receiving school meals has increased dramatically since 1990, there are currently 2,139 low-income children in Vermont who do not receive either breakfast or lunch at school.
The effects of hunger |
|
Children living with even occasional hunger have more health problems and do not do as well in school as children who never experience hunger. For those children who live with food insecurity on a regular basis, the effects can be devastating. Results of chronic undernutrition include stunted growth, cognitive dysfunction, increased aggression, and frequent infections. Hunger robs a child of the chance to reach their fullest potential. Because of the physical ramifications of malnutrition, the undernourished child’s odds of success decreases, and they acquire developmental and intellectual delays that put them behind other children.
Causes of hunger
Poverty is the strongest predictor of hunger and food insecurity. Lack of affordable housing, low wages, high unemployment, a decrease in the number of local, affordable grocery stores, and lack of public transportation all contribute to hunger and food insecurity in Vermont. Low-income families may run out of food during a crisis—such as the loss of a job—or may be faced with the hard choice of buying food or fuel during Vermont’s long winters.
How does Vermont compare?
Vermont is below the national average for food insecure households, which is a step in the right direction. But, in Vermont during the past two years, the percentage of food insecure households with hunger and children under 18 living in poverty has risen.
A comparison of the seven northeast states shows that Vermont has fewer food insecure and hungry households, but a high poverty rate and more children under the age of 18 living in poverty. 1 For more information on hunger and poverty statistics, view the Food Research and Action Center's profile of Vermont, or go to the resources page.
State |
% food insecure households with or without hunger |
% food insecure households with hunger |
% poverty rate |
% poverty rate for children under 18 |
Vermont |
9.0 |
3.6 |
9.1 |
11.7 |
Massachusetts |
7.1 |
2.7 |
9.4 |
13.0 |
Connecticut |
8.6 |
3.0 |
7.6 |
10.5 |
Rhode Island |
12.1 |
4.2 |
12.8 |
20.9 |
New York |
10.5 |
3.2 |
14.3 |
20.9 |
New Hampshire |
6.4 |
2.4 |
7.6 |
9.7 |
Maine |
9.8 |
3.1 |
12.3 |
17.1 |
United States |
11.4 |
3.6 |
13.0 |
18.4 |
1. Food Research and Action Center , State of the States, 2006
For more information on hunger and food security across the United States, check out the USDA’s Household Food Security in the US Report. |
