Hunger Grows in Rural America

When we think about the issue of hunger, we often imagine an urban setting. But the truth is that hunger is common, and sometimes even more so, in rural areas or small towns – including some of the very communities where many of America’s crops are grown. In fact, three-quarters of the counties in the U.S. with the highest reported rates of hunger are in rural areas, and that number goes up to a staggering 86% when looking at child hunger rates alone.

Why do so many people that live in rural neighborhoods often face hunger at higher rates? There are 3 unique challenges that living in rural or farm communities presents:

1. Food Deserts. Remote or hard-to-reach towns, can be hours away from their nearest grocery store or food bank. When communities rely solely on one grocery store for their pantry staples and fresh foods, if that store closes, families are faced with the risk of not having access to food.
2. Higher rates of unemployment or underemployment. Many higher-paying jobs are in larger cities. Long commutes and a lack of reliable transportation, leave many families left to look for available work within their own communities. In communities with fewer jobs and lower high school completion rates, there are higher rates of unemployment or underemployment.
3. Budgets stretched to the limit. The reasons above along with rising food prices, make it increasingly challenging for many working families to afford the groceries they need to feed themselves and their loved ones.

While there are challenges to serving our rural neighbors in need, there are also many ways that food banks, pantries, and food assistance programs continue their important work. Find out how you can help here: https://www.livingstonhunger.com/getinvolved/

Source: Feeding America