Child Hunger in America: A Closer Look at the Crisis in Our Own Backyard

6 min readFeb 13, 2023

Hunger is still a significant issue in the United States, with millions of individuals experiencing food insecurity on a regular basis. One out of eight children in America is at high risk of hunger. Due to systematic racial injustice, Latino and black children face hunger more in comparison to white children. According to USDA, 18.5% of Latino kids are food insecure, and 22% of black children are suffering from food insecurity meaning they lacked access to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members.

According to the USDA, approximately 10.2% of households in the US are suffering from food insecurity. This equates to around 13.5 million people, including more than 10 million children. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this problem, as unemployment and economic instability have led to an increase in food insecurity. A USDA study found that 24% of households run by single mothers were experiencing food insecurity. Certain communities and demographic groups, such as low-income families, single-parent households, and communities of color, experience higher rates of food insecurity.

Millions of Children Are Suffering from Hunger in America

Child hunger is a serious problem in the United States, affecting millions of children each year. According to the USDA, approximately 16 million children lived in households that lacked consistent access to enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life. Childhood hunger can have long-term consequences for a child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Children who experience food insecurity are more likely to experience poor health, developmental delays, and behavioral problems. They also face an increased risk for chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease later in life.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further heightened the problem of child hunger in the US. A USDA study found that the number of households with children who were food insecure had increased by 60% compared to the previous year. Efforts are being made to address child hunger in the US, including federal nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the National School Lunch Program. However, many children in need still struggle to access nutritious food on a regular basis, and more needs to be done to ensure that all children in the US have access to healthy food.

How Has Covid Escalated the Hunger Problems in America?

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on child hunger in the United States. The pandemic has caused widespread economic disruption, including job losses and reduced income for many households, leading to increased food insecurity for many families. According to a USDA study, the number of households with children that were food insecure increased by 60% compared to the previous year. This means that millions of children were at risk of going hungry or not having access to enough nutritious food to support their physical and mental health.

The pandemic has also disrupted traditional sources of food assistance for children, such as schools. With many schools closed or operating on limited schedules, children have lost access to nutritious meals through the National School Lunch Program and other programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the need for increased access to food assistance for families and children in need. The USDA and other organizations have taken steps to respond to the increased demand for food assistance, including expanding the availability of food benefits through programs like SNAP and expanding partnerships with community organizations to distribute food to those in need.

However, more needs to be done to address the ongoing impact of the pandemic on child hunger and food insecurity in the US.

Impact of Hunger Among Children

Hunger can have serious and long-lasting effects on children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Some of the key effects of hunger among children include:

Poor health: Children who experience hunger are more susceptible to illness and chronic health conditions, such as anemia, stunted growth, and weakened immune systems.
Developmental delays: Hunger can interfere with a child’s physical and cognitive development, including language skills, memory, and attention.
Behavioral problems: Children who experience hunger may exhibit behavioral issues, such as irritability, aggression, and anxiety.
Poor academic performance: Children who are hungry are more likely to struggle in school and have lower grades and test scores.
Long-term health consequences: Children who experience hunger are at increased risk for chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease later in life.
Adverse effects on mental health: Children who experience hunger may also face negative impacts on their mental health, including depression, stress, and trauma.

It’s important to note that childhood hunger can also have broader social and economic consequences, as children who experience hunger are more likely to struggle later in life and face challenges in obtaining education, employment, and stable housing. To address the effects of hunger among children, it’s crucial to ensure that all children have access to nutritious food and resources to support their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.

The Reality of Child Hunger in America

Sophia lived with her parents and younger brother in a small apartment in a big city. Sophia’s parents both worked hard, but they struggled to make ends meet. They often had to choose between paying the rent and buying food, and too often, food was the thing they went without. Sophia and her brother went to school every day, but they often felt tired and hungry. They depended on the school’s breakfast and lunch program to get enough to eat, but on weekends and holidays, they often went hungry.

One day, Sophia came home from school to find that there was no food in the house. Her parents had used all their money to pay the bills and there was nothing left for food. She didn’t know how she was going to get through the next few days without anything to eat. Thankfully, Sophia’s teacher heard about her situation and helped her connect with a local food bank. The food bank provided Sophia and her family with enough food to last them a few weeks, and Sophia’s teacher also helped her parents find resources to help with their bills and food costs.

This is the reality of child hunger in America, where many families struggle to put food on the table. But it also shows that with help, it is possible for children like Sophia to overcome hunger and thrive.

How to End Hunger, And Keep Children Healthy?

Ending childhood hunger and ensuring that all children have access to healthy food is a complex and ongoing challenge, but there are several steps that can be taken to address this issue:

Increase access to federal nutrition assistance programs: Programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the National School Lunch Program provide crucial support for families and children facing food insecurity. Expanding these programs and improving their accessibility can help to address childhood hunger and improve health outcomes for children.
Strengthen community-based food programs: Partnering with local food banks, pantries, and other community organizations can help to distribute food and resources to families in need.
Support healthy food initiatives in schools: Ensuring that all children have access to nutritious food in schools, through programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, is critical for their health and development.
Promote healthy food choices: Encouraging families to choose healthy and nutritious foods, through education and outreach efforts, can help to prevent childhood obesity and other health problems.
Address poverty: Addressing the root causes of poverty, such as lack of access to quality education, affordable housing, and living-wage jobs, can help to reduce food insecurity and improve health outcomes for children.

It’s important to note that ending childhood hunger requires a multi-faceted approach, involving coordination and collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, corporates, communities, and families. A US-based crypto exchange, PayBito has initiated a “Brokering World Hunger Away” Campaign to help hungry children around the world and provide them with nutritious food. By working together, we can create a healthy future for youngsters.