In Florida, 3.1 million people are currently considered "food insecure"- being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable and nutritious food.
HUNGER'S IMPACT IN FLORIDA
1 OUT OF 12 SENIORS IN FLORIDA
Food insecurity is growing drastically among older adults and millions of older Floridians are at risk for hunger. The most current statistics indicate that 1 out of every 12 senior citizens residing in FL are food insecure. ​Compared to food secure seniors, food insecure seniors are:
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60% more likely to have depression.
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53% more likely to report a heart attack.
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52% more likely to develop asthma.
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40% more likely to report of congestive heart failure.
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Dementia, diabetes and other serious diseases are of high concern regarding malnutrition.
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1 OUT OF 5 CHILDREN IN FLORIDA
It may be surprising to know that approximately 900,000 children in Florida are food insecure (1 in 5 kids.) This means they are either currently hungry or nearing hunger. Florida has the 3rd highest number of food insecure children in the country. Children who are undernourished are at greater risk for serious health, social, and educational problems. Children from families struggling with hunger are more likely to:
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Repeat a grade in elementary school.
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Experience developmental impairments in areas like language or motor skills.
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Have more social and behavioral problems.
49% OF WORKING ADULTS
Today, millions of working Americans are food insecure. The recent rise in the price of gas has affected the economy tremendously. Many families are striving every day to earn adequate income, yet are still unable to meet their own most basic needs. Often their income is too high to qualify for food stamps, yet they are still unable to afford adequate nutrition. As a result of their severely limited incomes, each day tens of thousands of our citizens must choose between spending their limited resources on resources on food or gas, utilities, rent, or mortgage, or medical needs etc...
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FOOD AND ENERGY WASTE
While our main focus is to share the Gospel and groceries with every person that we can reach. Southeastern also prioritizes in the conservation of food and energy. We are deeply burdened with the current devastating statistics of food and energy waste and continually looking for ways to solve or at least lessen this food and energy crisis.
Approximately 108 billion pounds of food is wasted each year in the United States. That equates to 130 billion meals and more than $408 billion in food thrown away each year. About 40% of food produced, processed, and transported in the U.S. is wasted and ends up in our landfills. Food waste is a drain on our natural resources, our wallets, and our communities. Most recent statistics indicate that the state of Florida alone is responsible for wasting almost 4 million tons of food in one year.
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Ref: ReFED.org
