Poverty and Hunger in Nevada

2010

Presented by the Food Bank of Northern Nevada

to

The Nevada Interim Health Committee January 13, 2009

Poverty and Hunger in Nevada

11.3% of Nevadans live below the poverty threshold

(2008)(2008)

12.4% of Nevada’s population is food insecure

(2006-8) (2005-7)

18.5% of Nevada’s children are food insecure

15% of Nevada’s children live below the poverty

threshold

How much is enough?It takes over 230% of poverty to get by…

in Las Vegas: $48,058 in Reno/Sparks: $46,371 in Rural Nevada: $44,672

2007 Poverty Threshold for this size family: $20,650

Monthly "Basic Family Budget" for 2-Parent, 2-Child Family in Carson City (2007)Housing $823 Food $643 Child care $843 Transportation $468 Health care $411 Other necessities $352 Taxes $215 Monthly total $3,755

Annual total $45,058

Paradoxically, hunger and obesity are closely related…

“We need to recognize that cheap food has a very high cost, in terms of health and the environment. That cost is getting paid by other people, by the public health system.

“There's a disconnect, between what you pay for a cheap, fast-food meal, and the ultimate price of eating that way.”

- Michael Pollan

Paradoxically, hunger and obesity are closely related…

A low birth-weight baby that lives in a food insecure household during toddler years has 27.8 times the risk of weight problems as a child not experiencing these early challenges.

Solutions: The Food Bank of Northern NevadaA non-profit organization providing food support

to 118 partner agencies

Direct services for seniors, children and families: Mobile Pantry CSFP Commodities Kids Cafe – free summer/afterschool meals Child Nutrition Programs – weekend Backpack, High

School Pantries

Food Stamp (SNAP) Outreach Nutrition Education for children and families Advocacy

Solutions: The Food Bank of Northern Nevada

Our food distribution efforts have grown by 25% in the last year, and 109% over the last four years.

6,794,785

5,427,769

4,408,618

3,247,491

Pounds of food distributed, year-over-year

Solutions: What else can we do?

Full implementation of USDA nutrition programs Educate about nutrition programs for social

service providers and the public “No Wrong Door” policy for nutrition programs Public private partnerships Simplified food stamp application process Accountability at all levels State plan to end hunger and food insecurity Benchmark measurement for End of Hunger in

Nevada

Solutions: Long-Term Goal

Eliminate Hunger in Nevada Align with National Goal:

End Child Hunger by 2015