UA Matters: What Kinds of Food Do Local Food Banks Really Need?
More than 18.5 percent of Alabamians had household incomes below the federal poverty line ($23,555 in household income for a family of four), according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2013.
(Media-Newswire.com) - More than 18.5 percent of Alabamians had household incomes below the federal poverty line ( $23,555 in household income for a family of four ), according to the U.S. Census Bureau in 2013.
This included 27 percent of Alabama’s children. In addition to struggling to pay rent and other bills, many of these families did and do not have access to adequate, nutritious food. One way Alabamians address this need is through the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, otherwise known as food stamps.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, 14 percent of the citizens in Tuscaloosa County ( 27,687 people ) received some type of food stamp assistance in 2011. Unfortunately, food stamps are often not enough.
Even for those Alabamians who do not qualify for food stamps, access to healthy food is becoming increasingly difficult, and people are turning more and more to food banks.
This past year, the West Alabama Food Bank, located in Northport, and its cooperating partners distributed 1.22 million pounds of food. This included 95,373 emergency food boxes and 133,215 meals, serving approximately 98,000 Alabamians in nine counties.
The University of Alabama’s Dr. Jennifer Kenney teaches her students about various issues around food insecurity and can further discuss with media.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, UA Matters asked local food banks and distributors what kinds of food these local hungry families and individuals really need. The list included:
Peanut butter, including brands with no sugar added Canned meats, like SPAM, canned beef, canned pork, and potted meat Soups, like chicken-noodle soup, especially those with low sodium Bags and boxes of rice, pasta and grits Sugar-free, shelf-stable products for diabetic clients, like sugar-free grape, strawberry, and apple jellies and jams Cooking and frying oil Spaghetti Sauce ( no glass jars, please ) Dry and canned beans, especially kidney beans Cereals, like Cheerios, Raisin Bran, and Honey-nut Cheerios Saltine crackers Kenney is an assistant professor in The University of Alabama’s School of Social Work.
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