One in seven Utah households struggles with hunger, a new federal report reveals.Nationally, more than 50.1 million Americans lived in households that were food insecure in 2011, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture report.
The report showed 14.9 percent of American households were food insecure at some time during 2011, up slightly from 14.5 percent in 2010. Some 14.6 percent of Utah households were "food insecure," according to the report.
Food insecurity is the term used to describe a person or households uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food to meet their needs or the needs of all household members because of a lack of money or other resources for food.
Rob Harter, executive director of The Christian Center of Park City, said as the nation's economy sputters, he has observed a shift in the clientele served by the nonprofit's food pantry. The pantry distributed food to more than 34,000 people last year.
Users are primarily low-wage Latino workers but a growing number of older, Caucasian seniors are seeking assistance, too.
While the pantry primarily serves residents of Wasatch and Summit counties, Harter said some people travel from Salt Lake City three times a week because "there's clearly a need."
Utahns Against Hunger is working to help people apply for public assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), to reach more people who qualify, but may not know how to access the help. Deseret News
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