A recent study conducted by the USC Institute for Food System Equity reveals that nearly one million households face food insecurity–a 6% increase from last year.
The study defines food insecurity as “a lack of access to enough food to live an active, healthy life because of limited money or other resources.”
According to the study, the current food insecurity statistics are similar to the numbers recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. At the time, the 42% household food insecurity percentage in 2020 was the highest ever. After a 14% drop in 2021, rates have increased each year since, with 2023′s 44% rate representing a new all-time high.
The study also points to an increase in the use of food pantries as CalFresh benefits decrease.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides benefits to low-income families in order to supplement their food budget. The CalFresh Program is the in-state version of SNAP and they issue benefits that can be used to purchase “most foods” in supermarkets across California. Government assistance for both these programs was increased during the pandemic.
In March, some of these pandemic-related benefits were cut, as outlined in the US Census. Some believe that the decrease in benefits would result in an increase in hunger across California, according to CalMatters.
“That was probably the big impact when we talk about [the increase in people utilizing services]. We do attribute probably most of that to the reduction in California’s benefits,” said David May, the communications director for Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
A student at USC wrote to Annenberg Media about using SNAP benefits to purchase groceries.
“Due to my major and also working during the year, I think it is difficult to find time to cook meals so I always try to buy frozen foods or ingredients to make simple dishes,” wrote Natalie Williams, a junior studying biochemistry.
“The amount that I am provided despite the extra COVID relief money is plenty, so I did not mind when it was taken away,” Williams continued.
The study points to four factors that affect a person’s ability to gain access to food. According to the study, individuals between the ages of 18 to 40, females, Hispanic and Latinx people and people with low-income jobs are most likely to become food insecure.
May says the cost of living in California is the biggest reason why people may not have access to affordable meal options. He added that while those costs are seen as unavoidable, food isn’t.
“People will say, well, ‘I have to pay my water bill, I have to pay my electric bill, I have to pay my rent, but maybe I can get by on just one or two meals a day’,” he said.
Some solutions recommended by the study include lowering food prices, increasing enrollment in government food assistance programs, extra support for food banks and pantries and offsetting barriers to food access.
Tracie Kirkland, a Clinical Associate Professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, believes that food security is a fundamental right and need.
She told Annenberg Media that families without financial stability have to purchase inexpensive food options without the best nutrition, which can then affect the academic performance of young children.
USC students can visit the Student Basic Needs website or the Student Equity and Inclusion site for more information about food insecurity and the Trojan Food Pantry.