Answer in paragraph form. In response to the following, provide feedback to your peers about their topic. Suggest other resources, if needed.
The targeted population I am wanting to explore is those who deal with food insecurity. The population that deals with this the most is those who are low income. They struggle to afford food that gives them a balanced diet. They use food shelves or have state food assistance. This group of people usually rely on the school system feeding their children, so when summer comes around it is even more of an added struggle for them. Refugees and the elderly also deal with this. The elderly are usually on a tight budget with only Social Security being their income. I will be focusing on families with young children dealing with food insecurity. These families are struggling with the costs of childcare with low-paying jobs. Depending on the family size and income levels, they may not be eligible for help because they make too much. Strengths are that there are government programs in place, along with food shelves or church programs wanting to help. My area has a program called Ruby's Pantry. You pay 25 dollars and get a large amount of food. No income requirements. Areas that need growth would be acknowledgement on just how many people are struggling and rising income eligibility levels to meet the inflation rates. Research sources I could use are USDA. They are the group behind WIC and SNAP. They do lots of research into who is using the program. Feeding America is one of the largest groups helping make sure everyone has food. I would also use Ruby's Pantry. It would be neat to see the local statistics. Provide in-text citations and references for each.
Answer (2)
Food insecurity is a significant issue, especially among low-income families and the elderly. Effective programs exist, but increased awareness and adjustments to eligibility requirements are necessary. Resources like the USDA and Feeding America can provide valuable information for your exploration of this topic.
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I'm focusing on the issue of food insecurity, particularly among low-income families. This population struggles to afford a balanced diet and often relies on food shelves or state assistance programs. During the school year, many families depend on school meals for their children, which adds to the challenge when summer arrives and those meals are no longer available. Additionally, I've noticed that refugees and the elderly face similar challenges; the elderly, in particular, often live on fixed incomes from Social Security, making it difficult to afford adequate food. My specific focus will be on families with young children, as they frequently deal with the high costs of childcare while working low-paying jobs. Interestingly, some families may not qualify for assistance simply because their income is slightly above the eligibility threshold, which is a significant concern.
One of the strengths of the system is the existence of government programs and community initiatives like Ruby's Pantry, where for a fee of $25, families can receive a substantial amount of food without income restrictions. However, there are areas in need of improvement, such as increasing awareness of the sheer number of people struggling with food insecurity and raising the income eligibility levels to match inflation rates. For my research, I plan to utilize resources from the USDA, which manages programs like WIC and SNAP, and offers valuable insights into program usage. Additionally, Feeding America is a vital organization that works to combat hunger nationwide. It would be great to delve into local statistics to better understand the specific needs in my area.
For my references, I will include:
Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). (2022). "Food Insecurity in the United States."
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP). (2022). "Policy Basics: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program."
Feeding America. (2022). "Map the Meal Gap."
I believe that these resources will provide a solid foundation for my exploration of food insecurity and its impact on families. ;
