Hunger in America 2014

Hunger in America 2014 Results

Connecticut Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a network of  more than 200 food banks across the U.S.  Conducted every four years, Hunger in America, also known as the Hunger Study, is the largest study of charitable food assistance in America.

Results of the study provides client household demographics and the challenges that people who are served by Connecticut Food Bank’s network of food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters face.

Among the key findings are that 45 percent of households served used three or more coping strategies in the last 12 months for getting enough food to feed themselves and their family:

• 73 percent of client households report purchasing the cheapest foods available, even if they knew it wasn’t the healthiest option
•  54 percent of client households report receiving help from family and friends
• 41 percent of client households watered down food or drinks
• 35 percent of client households pawned or sold personal property

Also in the past year:

• 73 percent report of choosing between paying for food and utilities
• 69 percent report making choices between paying for food and transportation
• 68 percent report making choices between paying for food and medicine
• 63 percent report making choices between paying for food and for housing
• 35 percent report choosing between paying for food and paying for education expenses

Click here for a summary of the study findings. The full report is posted on Feeding America’s website, www.feedingamerica.org.