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How You Can Help End Hunger 35 Unforgettable Facts About Hunger

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Mar 8, 2023

Food insecurity and hunger have risen sharply in recent years, not only in America but also around the globe. 13.5 million households in the United States experience some degree of food insecurity, even as the 11th wealthiest country in the world per capita.(8)

In an effort to help end hunger globally, we launched the Plexus Nourish One® Initiative. Together, with your support, we have helped provide over 34 million meals* to children and families experiencing hunger in the U.S. through our partner Feeding America® and an additional 1 million meals through our international partner, Mary’s Meals, for a combined total of 35 million meals.*

What is food insecurity?

Food insecurity comes in many forms and levels, ranging from occasional food insufficiency to severe diet disruptions that lead to malnutrition.(7)

Levels of food security

  • High food security: no reported indications of food-access problems or limitations.

  • Marginal food security: one or two reported indications — typically of anxiety over food sufficiency or shortage of food in the house. Little or no indication of changes in diets or food intake.(7)

Levels of food insecurity

  • Low food security: reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake.

  • Very low food security: reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. A common misconception is that people who are food insecure or suffering from hunger are frequently easy to identify. But individuals and families from any socio-economic level can experience food insecurity. You can’t tell by looking at someone what their situation might be. Many people who struggle to feed themselves and their families are gainfully employed. They may own a house and a car but lack sufficient means to cover all their living costs. They are your neighbors, your friends, and your family.(7)

To help build awareness about the full scope of food insecurity, here are 35 unforgettable facts about hunger and what you can do to help end it.

  1. Close to 193 million people were acutely food insecure and in need of urgent assistance across 53 countries in 2021.(2)

  2. In 2021, there was an increase of nearly 40 million people facing food insecurity compared to 2020.(2)

  3. The impact of weather-related disasters on acute food insecurity has intensified since 2020.(2)

  4. 34 million people are in food-insecure households in the U.S.(8)

  5. Globally, 828 million people are unsure where their next meal is coming from. (8)

  6. In 2021, 10.2% (13.5 million) of U.S. households experienced food insecurity at some point. (8)

  7. Nine U.S. states exceed the national average of food insecurity. (8)

  8. Rural communities experience unique challenges that can make affording food especially difficult, such as a lack of transportation, lower wages, and underemployment.(6)

  9. Many households facing food insecurity don’t qualify for federal nutrition programs and seek support through local food banks and other programs.(6)

  10. Since 2019 the number of people experiencing with acute food insecurity has risen dramatically, from 135 million to 345 million.(10)

  11. According to the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, one-third of all food produced around the world is wasted.(3)

  12. U.S. landfills’ primary space occupier is discarded food, surpassing all other waste. (3)

  13. Global food waste is roughly 1.4 billion tons per year, with the U.S. leading the world by disposing of 40 million tons or 80 billion pounds of food annually. This translates into approximately 30 to 40% of the entire U.S. food supply, or 219 pounds of waste per person.(3)

  14. Because of misunderstood expiration labels, more than 80% of Americans dispose of perfectly consumable food. (3)

  15. Forty-nine countries, with a combined population of 49 million are hovering on the verge of famine.(11)

  16. Families with children and communities of color, who already experience higher rates of hunger, experienced increased food insecurity due to the pandemic.(6)

  17. Although the unemployment rate has steadily improved since the first year of the pandemic and was 3.5% in July 2022, food insecurity for both employed and nonworking adults rose in 2022, when compared to 2021.(5)

  18. Every purchase of Plexus Reset™ is equivalent to 3 meals* donated through Feeding America.

  19. Feeding America stores emergency food supplies throughout the country to distribute quickly in the event of a disaster.(6)

  20. National disaster partnerships with Feeding America provide access to equipment and supplies to food banks in affected communities.(6)

  21. During a disaster, the Feeding America nationwide network – including 10 million square feet of warehouse space and 2,400 trucks – shifts operations to deliver emergency food, water, and supplies.(6)

  22. Feeding America partner food banks are rooted in communities to contribute to long-term disaster recovery after other disaster organizations have moved on.(6)

  23. Donating money is the best way to help organizations like Feeding America prepare, respond, and recover from a disaster. It allows the allocation of resources when and where they are most needed.(6)

  24. Ask your friends and family to donate, too. Create a Team Feed fundraiser or Facebook fundraiser. Small amounts add up quickly.(6)

  25. One dollar donated to Feeding America is equivalent to 10 meals donated to those in need.

  26. The Feeding America network and their partners rescued 3.6 billion pounds of groceries. That food went directly to meals for people facing hunger.(6)

  27. Mobile pantries bring free groceries directly to your community. They are a great option for many families, especially in areas where traditional food pantries and stores aren’t available.(6)

  28. When school lets out, the Feeding America network continues free meal programs for kids, teens, and families. Free summer meals are available in communities around the country.(6)

  29. As part of a comprehensive, global response to the food security crisis, in May 2022 the World Bank announced that it is making up to $30 billion available over a period of 15 months, including $12 billion in new projects.(4)

  30. Every purchase of Plexus Lean™ is equivalent to 10 meals* donated through Feeding America.

  31. Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest communities. The promise of a good meal attracts these hungry children into the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a better future.(9)

  32. Globally, Mary’s Meals feeds over 2.4 million children every school day.(9)

  33. It costs £19.15 to feed a child in a place of education for a whole school year.(9)

  34. Mary’s Meals works in 18 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.(9)

  35. More than 67 million primary school-age children are out of school around the world. In order to survive, they have to work or beg. Even if they do make it into the classroom, hunger affects their ability to learn.(9)

While the crisis can feel overwhelming, there are ways you can help. Volunteering at your local food bank, donating food, and being more mindful of food waste all support people experiencing food insecurity.

Through the Nourish One Initiative and our partnership with Feeding America, a monetary donation equivalent to 10 meals* is made for every purchase of Plexus Lean and 3 meals* for every purchase of Reset. Nourish One allows you to live a healthier, more balanced lifestyle while knowing you are playing a part in a vital cause.

With your continued support, our goal is to surpass 40 million meals* donated by 2024.

Together, we can help end hunger.

CITATIONS

  1. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s

  2. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/global-report-food-crises-2022

  3. https://www.rts.com/resources/guides/food-waste-america/

  4. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update

  5. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/2022-09/HRMS%20Food%20Insecurity%20Brief_0.pdf

  6. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america

  7. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/definitions-of-food-security/#CNSTAT

  8. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/

  9. https://www.marysmeals.org

  10. https://www.wfp.org/global-hunger-crisis#:~:text=The%20scale%20of%20the%20current,double%20the%20number%20in%202020

  11. https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-023-00702-3

*Every Plexus Lean sold contributes a donation equivalent to 10 meals, and every Plexus Reset sold contributes a donation equivalent to 3 meals to Feeding America®, helping provide at least 1.5 million meals annually. $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local member food banks.