Child Food Insecurity hits locally in Mercer County

A new report by Feeding America shows child food insecurity continues to be a national crisis, affecting every county in the United State including Mercer County, where one in five children are unsure where their next meal will come from.

According to the 15th annual Map the Meal Gap study, child food insecurity in some counties across the U.S. reaches nearly 50%. Locally, the report estimates that 22% of children under 18 in Mercer County are food insecure.

That is one in five kids living with uncertainty about consistent access to food.

"Leveraging the data in this year's study will help us address challenges shared with us by people facing hunger and identify local ways to support our community," said Rebecca Page, Executive Director, Mercer County Food Bank.  

The Mercer County Food Bank is part of Feeding America's extensive network, which includes over 200 food banks and 60,000 partner agencies. The organization uses the Map the Meal Gap data to guide its programs and outreach efforts. 

The report also highlights economic barriers: over 38% of Mercer County residents facing hunger may not qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to income thresholds.

Among children, 28% of those experiencing hunger may not be eligible for free or reduced price school meals. 

The averaging cost of a meal in Mercer County is $3.62, slightly above the national average of $3.58. Yet according to the local food budget shortfall the amount needed to cover the cost of meals for food insecure individuals is an estimated $10.9 million annually. 

Map the Meal Gap combines data from the USDA, Census Bureau, and Bureau of Labor Statistics, using local pricing data and food access indicators to estimate need on a county-by-county level.

The interactive online map allows users to explore how food insecurity impacts their specific region broken down by age, race and income. 

You can explore the full study and learn how you can help by clicking here. You can also support hunger relief efforts locally by clicking here.