Hunger in Oregon Oregon Nutrition Day May 19 2917
Who Are We?
Susannah Morgan San Francisco Food Bank Interseminarian Project Place (Boston) Food Bank of Alaska Oregon Food Bank
Annie Kirschner Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon Oregon Hunger Task Force
How Do We Fit?
PHFO OFB SNAP Outreach Child Hunger Prevention Technical Assistance on Federal Nutrition Programs Advocacy Client Engagement Public Awareness Food Collection & Distribution Statewide Nutrition & Garden Education Community Food Systems
Hunger By the Numbers
Hunger by the Numbers 16.1% of Oregonians are food insecure, and 1 in 4 children. Oregon ranks in the top 10 nationally for food insecurity We were the only state to see a recent rise in hunger
Hunger by the Numbers 54% of school-aged children qualify for free or reduced price meals More than 700,000 Oregonians utilize SNAP to provide nutrition for their families
Hunger by the Numbers An estimated 800,000 people in Oregon and Clark County receive charitable food assistance each year
Hunger in Photos
My favorite thing about coming to the meal site for dinner is knowing my kids aren t going to bed hungry. - Beth, St. Helens
When my grandchildren come over and I have them all the time there s no such thing as grandma doesn t have any food. I come to the food pantry and I have to improvise. I thank God I m a good cook. - Mary, Portland
I have an 11-year-old, a 9-year old, and twin 6-year-olds. All four kids have special needs. A lot of our fresh food and produce comes from the food bank. - Carisa, La Grande
Root Causes of Hunger
Root Causes of Hunger Poverty Inequity Other Factors
Root Causes: Poverty Hunger is an income issue 72% of people accessing charitable food assistance have incomes below the federal poverty line ($24K for a family of 4)
Root Causes: Poverty Income volatility leads to food insecurity Lack of savings leads to food insecurity
Root Causes: Inequity Any group that has experienced oppression racism, sexism, ablism, etc has a greater chance of poverty and hunger
Root Causes: Other Factors Food ingenuity Social networks Housing Health And, and, and
The Effects of Hunger
The Effects of Hunger Micronutrient deficiencies Chronic diseases such high blood pressure and diabetes Depression
The Effects of Hunger Worse educational and work outcomes Social isolation Starves the human spirit
How Do We Tackle Hunger
Tackling Hunger: Nutrition assistance programs are effective at improving diet, health and wellbeing, in addition to preventing hunger Access to affordable food is an important driver in the individual behavior choices people make
Tackling Hunger: SNAP Our single biggest weapon against hunger is SNAP Brings more than $1 Billion federal into Oregon homes annually 1 in 5 Oregonians served - primarily families with children, seniors and people with disabilities.
Tackling Hunger: WIC Food, nutrition counseling, & breastfeeding support to low-income pregnant and postpartum women and children up to age 6 Served 145,599 Oregonians in 2016
Tackling Hunger: School Meals Began after WWII as a matter of national security Breakfast, lunch & after-school snacks Expanded nutritional standards as of 2010 High-poverty schools can now serve all children at no charge
Tackling Hunger: Summer Meals Meals for kids in low-income areas during the summer Oregon pilot will serve over 70,000 kids with $30 a month on an EBT card for families (Summer EBT for Children)
Tackling Hunger: Food Bank Network Charitable food distribution Mostly edible but nonsalable food from the food industry, supplemented by USDA commodities and purchases
Partner Agencies
Interim RFB
Partner Agencies Food Food Food Food
Tackling Hunger: Food Bank Network Nutrition today Reaching underserved communities
Tackling Hunger: Food Bank Network Historically high levels of clients Historically high levels of food distribution Requests for food assistance have leveled off
Not Victims: Engaging People Experiencing Hunger
Engaging Through Skill Building Leadership Institute Nutrition and cooking education Gardening on a budget
Engaging through Questions Focus Groups Program surveys Research
Engaging By Amplification Videos in which people experiencing hunger tell their stories Client-advocates with legislators
Engaging Through Volunteering Food pantries run by people experiencing hunger currently OFB and PHFO are both strengthened by having people who have previously experiencing hunger as volunteers and on our Boards
Food for All: Advocating towards the End of Hunger
Advocacy:
Advocacy: Federal opportunities The network of nutrition programs are changed through federal budgets and policy change Let your members of Congress hear from you
Advocacy: State opportunities State investments in nutrition & anti-poverty programs face cuts Invite your legislator to visit your program or mobilize your colleagues & clients
Advocacy: Local opportunities City and County budgets can expand nutrition services Policies set by schools impact access Your voice in the media can counter bias and myths about people experiencing hunger.
Advocacy: TODAY! Postcards to speak up for SNAP Sign up for the Hunger-Free Oregon Action Network
Our Vision: Oregon Is the First Hunger-free State
Why Oregon will End Hunger Food producing state Food conscious state Balance of political opinion All of Us!