Food Security:
The Federal Safety Net
Mable Everette, DrPH,
RD,FADA
EMPHASIS
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Educational Resources
Federal Food Programs
Advocacy
Food Insecurity and Hunger
A series questions on the California Health
Interview Survey(2003) were used to define
food insecurity and hunger.Three(3) of these
are included on the following slides.
Food Insecurity and Hunger
The food that (I/we) bought just did not last,
and (I/ we) did not have money to get more.
(a) often true
(b) sometimes true
(c) never true
Food Insecurity and Hunger
I/we could not afford to eat balanced meals
(a) often true
(b) sometimes true
(c) never true
Food Insecurity and Hunger
In the past 12 months, were you hungry but
did not eat because you could not afford
enough food?
(a) Yes
(b) No
Vulnerable Populations
The prevalence of food insecurity and hunger
in California among vulnerable adult groups
below 200% Poverty, California,2003.
 Pregnant women (aged 18-44 yrs.)
 HH=households w/children
 SHH=single-headed household w/children
Vulnerable Populations
% Food Insecurity and Hunger, CA ,2003
45
40
35
30
25
FI
Hunger
20
15
10
5
0
Pregnant
HH
SHH
Vulnerable Populations
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Pregnant women-reported food
insecurity=40.7%;hunger =16.1%
Households w/children reported food
insecurity =38.3%; hunger =10.9%
Single-headed households w/children
reported food insecurity=40.6%;
hunger=14.8%
UCLA Health Policy Research Brief, June 2005
Resources
UC Cooperative Extension
Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences
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Programs are offered to help low-income
families acquire the knowledge and skills to
make the necessary changes to improve
their diets through good nutrition.
http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/
(see information in conference packet)
Resources
American Dietetic Association
Registered Dietitian (RD)
RDs are health care professionals who
provide medical nutrition therapy and
nutrition counseling.
American Dietetic Association
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Registered Dietitians :
Minimum of bachelors degree
Completion of an accredited training program
in nutrition
Certification Requirement (Examination)
Continuing Education Requirement
Local Registered Dietitians
To find a Registered Dietitian in your area go to
“Find Nutrition Professional” section of ADA’s
web site
www.eatright.org
Or call 1-800-877-1600x 5000
Nutrition Education
Stretching Your $$$$$
 To make the most of your food dollar, you
need to:
 Be aware of the foods your family is eating
now
 Know how much you are spending on food.
Nutrition Education
Here are some tips to help when you shop for food:
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Make a shopping list and follow it.
Compare stores. Discount food stores and
national chains usually offer better prices.
Use local Farmers’ Markets in your area
Shop alone and only once a week.
Don’t shop when you’re hungry.
Nutrition Education
Take time to:
 plan meals,
 plan a shopping list, and
 plan a food budget!!
Source: Eating Healthy With Food Stamps
http://celosangeles.ucdavis.edu/
Acknowledgement
California Food Policy Advocates
Statewide nonprofit organization whose
mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of low-income Californians by
improving their access to nutritious and
affordable food
www.cfpa.net
Acknowledgement
California Hunger Action Coalition
CA Legislative Priorities for 2007 include:
1.Increase Food Stamp participation to improve the
nutrition of low-income Californians.
2. Fund programs and partnerships to increase healthy
food access for low-income Californians.
Los Angeles area |web address |hungeractionla. org
Federal Food Safety Net
In reviewing the food programs, there is the
need to focus on the underutilization:
 identify ‘barriers’
 propose solutions to increase utilization
 implement /follow through with the proposed
solutions for clients and the community.
Expanding Food for the Family
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School Meals Programs
includes breakfast and lunch
-Breakfast
(current status).
% eligible not served=44.9% in L.A County
(http://www.cfpa.net/2005CountyProfile.pdf )
Expanding Food for the Family
“Emergency Food Assistance”
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Middleman between donors and hunger –
relief agencies
Provide limited amount of food for a short
term
Availability of nutritious food may be limited
Emergency Food Assistance
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Which time of year is busiest for emergency
food banks and shelters?
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Late Spring when schools let out for the
summer, children no longer have assess to
the school breakfast and lunch.
Expanding Food for the Family
Year Round Food Programs for Kids
 Known as the “Summer Food Program”
 Free and reduced priced meals and snacks
available at schools, recreation programs,
non-profit agencies
% eligible not served=71% in LA County
(http://www.cfpa.net/2005CountyProfile.pdf)
Expanding Food for the Family
Food Stamps
% eligible not served=47% in LA County
(http://www.cfpa.net/2005CountyProfile.pdf )
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Debit card can be used at participating food
stores
Debit Cards can be used by homeless, the
elderly, or disabled at participating
restaurants
Food Stamps
Applications can be available at:
 Department of Social Services
 Schools
 Community Centers
 WIC Offices
Expanding Food for the Family
Child Care Food Programs
Children up to age 12 in daycare settings
& Adult Food Programs- Impaired adults
% eligible not served =44.9% in LA County
(http://www.cfpa.net/2005CountyProfile.pdf )
Expanding Food for the Family
Women Infant and Children Program (WIC)
 Low income women & children up to age 5.
 Vouchers for specific foods; nutrition
education; and health care referrals
% eligible not served=3.9% in LA County
(http://www.cfpa.net/2005CountyProfile.pdf )
What is advocacy ?
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“Advocacy just means ‘speaking up’
Making government work for you and your
community
Influencing and shaping public policy
Issues not politics”
Matt Sharp, California Food Policy Advocates
Thank You