The Problem

Freedom from hunger is a basic human right. Without adequate nutrition, people's health, ability to learn, and to be productive are compromised.

Oregon is a state known for its abundant production of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products, and yet thousands of Oregonians do not have adequate resources to feed themselves and their families. In 2005, nearly 750,000 Oregonians received food from emergency food boxes.

The US Department of Agriculture released a new report on Friday, October 28 2005 showing the fifth consecutive annual increase in the number of food insecure Americans nationwide. The total number of people living in food insecure households -- meaning those households that experienced difficulty purchasing food due to a lack of financial resources -- increased to 38.2 million in 2004.
 
The good news is that Oregon experienced a statistically significant drop in the rate of food insecurity hunger, putting us near the national average for both hunger and food insecurity. Our rate of food insecurity with hunger decreased from 5.8% in 1999-01 to 3.8% in 2002-04. Our rate of food insecurity also decreased, from 13.7% in 1999-01 to 11.9% in 2002-04.
 
We believe that the improvement in the hunger rate is due in large part to such successes as improved food stamp outreach resulting in an 80% increase in Food Stamp participation, Child Nutrition Program outreach, increased funding for and use of emergency food, and making the Child Care Tax Credit refundable.

Our food insecurity rates have also improved slightly as the economy has improved. The refundable Child Care Tax Credit and the newly refundable Earned Income Tax Credit should help even more, as should increased state support for programs like the Summer Food Service Program.

However, the food insecurity rate is still high enough to be of concern.  Even with the improvement, more than 1 in 10 Oregonians experienced difficulty purchasing food due to a lack of resources at some time during the year. We need to keep working to ensure that families reach economic stability -- that they have the resources they need to meet all of their basic needs.

For more information, you can download the full USDA report: Household Food Insecurity in the US: 2004

The primary reason Oregon has such a high rate of hunger is that the cost of living has increased dramatically while wages for workers with limited education and training have stagnated or lost ground. Over the last decade, Oregonians have seen dramatic increases in the cost of housing, energy, and health care. In 1998, Oregon's average annual pay was below the national average, making it difficult for families relying on low-wage jobs to afford the basics. Often a family's food budget is the only place to cut and families begin reducing their food purchases.

The Oregon State University (OSU) report, Food Insecurity and Hunger in Oregon: A New Look , further examines why Oregon has such a high rate of hunger. A more recent OSU report, Non-Metropolitan Hunger and Food Insecurity in the Northwest  expands on previous research, using the latest data to examine differences in hunger between metro and non-metro regions of Oregon, Washington and Idaho. A more targeted two page version, Changes in Hunger and Food Insecurity in Oregon is also available. Additionally, the OSU Poverty and Food Assistance Report provides information on each county in Oregon.  You may also view a two page pdf on Oregon county poverty rates for adults and children.

Our strategic plan, Act to End Hunger, identifies concrete immediate steps to end hunger, and the complete plan includes both more information on hunger in Oregon and more important actions to end hunger.  We also have talking points about hunger to help refine our understanding of hunger.

The Center on Hunger at Brandeis University's report, Consequences of Hunger and Food Insecurity for Children, provides a good overview of the scientific research on hunger and children.  Additional information about hunger in Oregon can be accessed through the Oregon Food Bank's website at: www.oregonfoodbank.org.