That's a very concerning headline, but according to Map the Meal Gap 2019, it is a fact.

Tri-State Food Bank announced the release of Map the Meal Gap 2019, the latest report by Feeding America® on food insecurity and the cost of food at both the county and congressional district level. It is the only study that provides food insecurity data at the local level.

Helping the Hungry
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Map the Meal Gap 2019 reveals that food insecurity exists in every county in Tri-State Food Bank’s service area. It also shows that children are more likely to be food insecure, with the child food insecurity rate at 17.7% compared to 13% for the overall population in the 33 counties in IL, IN, & KY of which Tri-State Food Bank serves.

Overall food insecurity in the Tri-State varies throughout the counties Tri-State Food Bank serves in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky. Food insecurity rates in Illinois ranges from a low of 11% of the population in Edwards County up to 23% in Alexander County. The food insecurity rates in Indiana range from a low of 10% of the population in Dubois County up to 16% in Vanderburgh County. And food insecurity rates in Kentucky ranges from a low of 13% of the population in Livingston County up to 19% in Union County.

The report isn't all bad, though, as Tri-State Food Bank Executive Director Glenn Roberts says:

It is positive news that, from 2016 to 2017, national and local food insecurity rates have dropped, and here in the Tri-State they decreased from 13.4% to 13.0% overall, and from 18.3% to 17.7% for children. Improved economic conditions mean that fewer people are living on the edge. However, 1 in 7 adults and 1 in 6 children still do not always know where their next meal is coming from, and this is unacceptable. And what hasn’t changed is the fervency of our work at Tri-State Food Bank because hunger continues to be a serious problem in this country, especially for our most vulnerable populations – our children, senior citizens, and those living in rural communities. Tri-State Food Bank is passionately committed to fill the gaps where hunger exists, and we invite the community to get involved in our mission by volunteering and/or making food or monetary donations.

Key local findings:

  • Child Food Insecurity in the Tri-State is nearly 1% higher than the national average (17.7% locally compared to 17% nationally)
  • Overall Food Insecurity in the Tri-State is 0.5% higher than the national average (13% locally compared to 12.5% nationally)
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