brown county uw-extension food security presentation

Brown County 2009 Community Food Security

Report

Karen Early M.S. R.D.Brown County UW Extension Nutrition Education Program

Program Coordinator

Cathy HuntowskiBrown County UW Nutrition Education Program

Nutrition Educator

Gail Trimberger MSSW, LCSWUniversity of Wisconsin Green Bay Social Work Professional Programs

Assistant Professor

History: First local study done in 1998 in response to changes in welfare and family support programs. Validated in1999.

Share findings with community

Implemented initiatives to increase access to healthy food, improve utilization of Federal nutrition programs and improve emergency food assistance in Brown County

Repeated survey in 2004 and 2009

Purpose: To Determine

Prevalence and level of food security among at‐risk households in Green Bay, Wisconsin in 2009 and how it compares to 2004 and 1999 findings

Contributors to food insecurity Strategies used to improve food security Demographics, housing status and nutrition knowledge of pantry users

Types of initiatives that would increase the availability and accessibility of food

Re‐establish University partnershipConvene an advisory committeeStudents conduct literature reviewDetermine community focused questionsTranslate survey into Spanish, Hmong and RussianEnlisted participation of food pantriesDetermine sample size and interpreter needsTrain students Arrange interview schedule

Preparation:

Community Advisory Committee Steve Hero –Director of Social Concerns Green Bay Diocese Rosemary Jonas –Integrated Community Services Donna Kessler –St. Patrick’s Food Pantry David Littig – UWGB Professor Emeritus Political Sciences Kathy McMurray –NEWCAP ‐TFAP Cathy Putman – United Way Gail Trimberger –UWGB Social Work Professor Julie Van Klooster –St. Luke’s Methodist Food Pantry Judy Knudsen – Brown County UWEX Family Living Educator Cathy Huntowski – Brown County UWEX Nutrition Educator Karen Early –Brown County UWEX Nutrition Program

Coordinator

Student Literature Review Topics: Causes of Food Insecurity: Perceived and Real History and Utilization of Food Pantries History and Utilization of Food Stamps/Food Share Food Insecurity and Food Choices: Fruits and Vegetables Relationship between Food Security and Health Strategies to Improve Food Security: A Consumer

Perspective Strategies to Improve Food Security: Community

Interventions Relationship between Food Security and Housing Security Relationship between Food Security and Employment

Professional Social Work Students Jenna Albright, Kelly Hirsch, Kristina Andrew, Amanda

Johnson, Alisha Andrews, Danielle Kuntz, Kristen Beck, May Kaying, LorAlan Berdan, Jodi Loritz, Amy Binsfeld, Adria Meyerhofer, Colleen Bird, Dawn Natzke, Lisa Bohl, Jessica Nell, Alebra Cornelius, Katrina Puyleart, Natalie Doemel, Stephanie Scott, Melia Everhart, Sharon Skenandore, Carolyn Feck, Eugene Smalls, Lauren Flannery, Crystal Smith, Heather Goetsch, Lyn Stanton, Trish Gordon, Holly Visser, Amber Grall, Tara Wettstein, Lacey Groelle, Alicia Wheeler, Sarita Gruszynski, Jenna Wilke, Arielle Hille, Christina Wold, Laura Zimbler

Participating Food Pantries AIDS Resource Center Paul's Pantry Pulaski Community Pantry Resurrection Lutheran Church St. Bernard's Church St. Patrick Catholic Parish St. Willebrord Parish The Salvation Army Trinity Lutheran Church Calvary Lutheran Church DePere Christian Outreach Denmark Food Pantry First Presbyterian Church First United Methodist Church The Giving Tree Grace Lutheran Church Manna for Life

Participating Pantry

English, Russian, Spanish and Hmong

Students Trained on Delivering Survey

UWGB Students Entering 713 Surveys collected at 17 Brown County Pantries

40 UWGB Professional Social Work Program Entering Data

Why Do We Look at Food Insecurity? There are physical, mental and emotional

health consequences Affects learning and behavior in children Community strategies can improve food

security for individuals National rate is the highest ever Nobody in the United Sates needs to be

food insecure or hungry.

National Food Insecurity Rate

14.6% of U.S. households struggle to put enough food on the table (2008)

Over 46 million, including 16.7 million children live in these households.

…continued

That’s an increase of 4.1 million people from 2007 to 2009.

The highest recorded rate of food insecurity

Food Insecurity Affects:

Mental physical and emotional functioning

1 in 5 U.S. children now live in food insecure households

Mental Functioning Diminished capacity to concentrate and

learn

Lower test scores and school achievement

Repeating a grade in school

Increase in school absences, tardiness and school suspension

Physical Health Poorer overall health and compromised

ability to resist illness

More health problems such as stomach aches, headaches, colds, ear infections, and fatigue

All contributing to increased health costs

Emotional Health Difficulty getting along with others

Higher rates of aggression and passivity,Hyperactivity and anxiety

Affects feeling self self worthand ability to actualize potential

Food Insecurity Affects:

IndividualsFamiliesSchoolsCommunities

Food Security Defined:

When all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs for a productive and healthy life.

A Food Secure Community Provides

Availability of a variety of foods at a reasonable cost

Access to a grocery store or other sources that supply food

Sufficient personal income to purchase food that meets nutritional needs for each household member

Freedom to choose enough personally acceptable food

Confidence in the quality and safety of food available

Access to accurate information about food and nutrition

Sample size goal of 808 interviews

Sample size determined based on the average number served per month at each pantry.

Interviews conducted at 17 pantries by 40 UW Green Bay Social Work students

USDA methodology was utilized to determine food security status based on a series of questions

Cross tabulations computed to show relationship of food security to selected factors

88.2% of target sample was interviewed with 713 responding

Methodology:

Questionnaire The USDA Food

Security Survey was used to measure food security status.

USDA's revised labels describe ranges of food security

General categories(old and new labels are

the same)

Detailed categories

Old label New label Description of conditions in the household

Food security 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

Food insecurity

Food insecurity without hunger Low food security

Three or more affirmative responses. Reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake

Food insecurity with hunger

Very low food security

Reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.(Eight affirmative out of 18 with children and six out of ten affirmative without children)

Examples of Food Security/Hunger Questions: “The food we bought just didn’t last, and we didn’t

have money to get more.” Was that often, sometimes, or never true for you in the last 12 months?

In the last 12 months, did you ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn’t enough money for food?

In the last 12 months, did you ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn’t enough money for food?

Additional Questions Were Added: Demographics Food Assistance Utilization Reasons for Not Enough Food Nutrition and Health Housing Employment Strategies Used to Have Enough Resources to Help

Results: Demographics

GenderAge of RespondentAge of Children in HouseholdEthnicity of RespondentEducational Level

31%

69%

MaleFemale

Note. N = 681

Gender of Food PantryUsers Surveyed

Age of Respondents

Pie Chart Representing Age Demographics of Respondents

20%

26%

28%

17%

7% 2%

30 or younger

31 ‐ 40

41 ‐ 50

51 ‐ 60

61 ‐ 70

71+

Age of Children in Households

30%

50%

20%

Under 5 yrs. 5 yrs. ‐ 17No children

Age of Children of the Pantry Users Surveyed

EthnicityEthnicity reported by respondents

8% 0%

7%

58%

0%

0%

20%

0%

4%3%

American Indian orAlaskan NativeAsian American

African American

White

Native Hawaiian orPasific IslanderRussian

Hispanic

Somalian

Hmong

Education Level

Food Security by Level of Education

15%

18%

37%

30% Less than 9th grade

9th ‐11th grade

High school graduateor equivalentMore than high school

Results: Food Security Status

Overall Gender Ethnicity With children 10 year comparison

Overall Food Security Status

Percent of Overall Food Security Status 2009 (N = 713)

7%

11%

38%

44%

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00%

1

Very Low Food Security

Low Food Security

Marginal Food Security

High Food Security

Very Low Food Security

Low Food Security

Marginal Food Security

High Food Security

Food Security Level

Food Security by Ethnicityof Respondents

Percentage of Low & Very Low Food Security Level by Ethnicity

47%

79%

87%

90%

96%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

Hispanic

Caucasian

AfricanAmerican

AmericanIndian

Hmong

Percentage of Low & VeryLow Food Security Level byEthnicity

Food Security ComparisonRegarding Ethnicity

Comparison between White and Combined Ethnic Populations Experiencing Low to Very Low Food Security

79%

85%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

WhitePopulation

CombinedEthnic

Population

Combined Ethnic PopulationWhite Population

Food Security Status ofRespondents with Children

Food Security Status of Households With Children, 2009 (N = 713)

18.2%

81.7 %

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

Food Secure

Food Insecure

Food Insecure

Food Secure

Brown County UW-Extension 2009 Food Security Research

Food Security Status: Ten Year ComparisonTen Year Comparison of Food Security Status of Food Pantry Users

2009 (N = 713), 2004 (N = 641), 1999 (N = 277)

11.00%

89.00%

28.30%

71.16%

18.30%

81.70%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Food Secure

Food Insecure

2009

2004

1999

1

Brown County UW-Extension 2009 Food Security Research

Perceived and Real Contributors to Food Insecurity

Ten Year Comparison of Reasons Why Not Enough food2009 (N=713), 2004 (N=641), 1999 (N=277)

Multiple Response

85.6%

11.2%

9.6%

12.8%

21.6%

34.7%

24.8%

22.8%

20.8%

20.1%

36.7%

7.1%

90.4%

20.3%

16.2%

13.0%

13.5%

13.5%

32.2%

68.3%

50.0%

31.5%

26.6%

39.0%

61.3%

36.7%

91.0%

14.0%

22.0%

32.0%

21.0%

31.0%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

not enough money for food

not enough time for shopping or cooking

on a diet

no working stove available

no working refrigerator available

not able to cook or eat because of health problems

don't know how to prepare the foods given to me

too hard to get to the store

no car

bus costs too much

bus doesn't go where I need it to go

work schedule

no grocery store in the area

can't get to the pantry during open hours

child care problems

1999

2004

2009

Results: Utilization of Food Assistance

First time use of food pantries Pantry usage in the past 12 months Utilization of Food Share

First Time Use of Food Pantry

First Time Use of Food Pantry2009 (N = 713), 2004 (N = 641)

4.5%

23.2%

13.4%

17.7%

40.1%

4.1%

28.2%

14.7%

12.0%

40.6%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

today is the first time

sometime in the last 6 months

6 months to a year ago

1 to 2 years ago

more than 2 years ago

2004

2009

Pantry Usage in Past 12 MonthsFood Pantry Usage it the Past 12 Months

2009 (N = 713)

41.0%

4.1%

43.6%

15.1%

8.6%

22.0%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0%

Yes

0

1‐3

4‐6

6‐9

9‐12

Number of MonthsReceived Food from morethan 1 Pantry

Food from more than 1Pantry

Reasons People do not ReceiveFood Share

Reasons People do not Receive Food Share (food stamps) Multiple Response2009 (N = 627), 2004 (N = 641)

11.4%

43.0%

31.5%

25.3%

19.2%

20.5%

17.2%

13.2%

44.7%

35.7%

19.0%

14.6%

20.1%

21.4%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0%

don’t know about food stamps

don’t think you're eligible

applied for food stamps but not eligible

don’t know how to apply

application process is too difficult

I don't need food stamps

I don't want food stamps

2004

2009

Results: Nutrition and Health Importance of consuming 5 or more Consumption of the right amount Reasons why people don’t eat the right

amount Reported health problems

Consumption of the Recommended Amount of Vegetables and Fruit

Consumption of the Right Amount of Vegetables and Fruit

2009 (N = 675), 2004 (N = 641)

26.8%

73.2%

29.3%

69.1%

1.60%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0%

eat right amount

should eat more

don't know

2004

2009

Reasons Why Not Enough Vegetables and Fruits are Eaten

Reasons People Do Not Eat the Right Amount of Vegetables and Fruits N = 713: multiple response, 2009

12.7%

14.5%

47.0%

69.4%

14.9%

15.8%

12.5%10.6% not available in the store where I need to

shop

the store doesn't carry the kinds I l ike

I feel they spoil too quickly and will go towaste

they cost too much

I don’t care for the taste

My kids won't eat them

I don’t know what to do with them (how toprepare them)

other

Health Problems of Pantry User Households

Reported Health Problems of Household Members of Pantry Users Multiple Responses

2009 (N = 713), 2004 (N = 641)

42.8%

45.3%

13.5%

24.6%

35.3%

14.6%

33.3%

26.2%

46.3%

40.0%

22.5%

36.3%

15.7%

34.1%

NR

NR

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0%

Depression

Overweight

Underweight

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Asthma

Other

2004

2009

Results: Housing and Employment Housing status Adults currently working Food security status and employment Hourly wage Sources of income

Current Housing StatusCurrent Housing Status

2009 (N = 624), 2004 (N =641)

78.0%

19.3%

83.8%

12.0%

0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% 100.0%

rent

own my home

2004

2009

Employed Adults in the Household

Food Security by Employment Status

2009 Food Security Status by Current Employment, 2009 (N = 351)

6.3%

10.8%

43.9%

39.0% High food security

Marginal food security

Low food security

Very low food security

Hourly Wage of Primary JobHourly Wages of Primary Job 2009 (n =232), 2004 (n =255)

1.8%

15.1%

27.6%

32.3%

10.3%

3.0%

19.9%

20.4%

29.6%

25.7%

3.9%

0.5%

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0%

$4.00 ‐ $6.75

$6.76 ‐ $7.50

$7.51 ‐ $8.84

$8.85 ‐ $12.00

$12.01 ‐ $16.25

over $16.25

2004

2009

Sources of IncomeSources of Household Income Last Month (multiple response)

2009 (N = 713)

52.9%

6.2%

19.2%

12.6%28.3%

11.5%

4.6%

22.0%

8.3%

16.0%

7.3%employment

pension

unemployment

disability/worker'scompensation

social security

child support

W2

SSI

earned income tax credit

housing assistance

other

Results: Strategies Used to ImproveFood Security

Resources that would help improve food security

Strategies used to have enough money for food

Food assistance used in last 12 months by food security level

Food assistance used in last 12 months2005-2009 compared

Resources That Would Help Get Enough Food

Strategies Used to Have Enough Money for Food

Strategies Used to Have Enough Money for Food Multiple Responses

2009 (N = 713), 2004 (N = 641)

2.6%

34.5%

17.4%

18.1%

36.6%

23.0%

6.9%

48.5%

12.7%

6.8%

31.1%

19.8%

24.3%

28.9%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%

moved into a shelter

not paid rent or mortgage on time

living with another household

got an additional job

neglected healthcare needs

used payday loan services

used rent‐to‐own stores

borrowed from a friend

other

2004

2009

Types of Assistance Used to Improve Food Security by Food Security Level

Food Assistance Used by Food Security Level 2009 (N = 713)

25

33

31

40

6

22

9

21

113

49

161

323

238

270

75

160

63

152

510

298

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

WIC

Friends/Relatives

School Breakfast

School Lunch

Shelter

Summer Lunch

Summer Breakfast

Meal Sites

Food Pantries

Food Share

Food Insecure

Food Secure

Food Security Level

Types of Food Assistance Used: 2004 ‐ 2009 ComparedFood Assistance Programs Used by Respondents in the Last 12 Months

2009 (N = 713), 2004 (N = 641)

26.8%

51.0%

38.5%

44.5%

11.6%

26.1%

10.0%

24.8%

89.3%

49.8%

23.5%

46.8%

38.7%

38.7%

13.6%

18.2%

5.7%

20.3%

92.9%

42.8%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

WIC

friends/relatives

free or reduced schoolbreakfast

free or reduced school lunch

shelters

summer lunches in the park

summer breakfast programs

community meal sites

food pantries

food share (food stamps,Quest card)

2004

2009

Limitations of Research Pantry hours and student availability Assertiveness Interpreters Pantry acceptance Consumers visiting multiple sites Confidentiality Data analysis

The Community Responds

1. Family Economic Security

2. Access to Affordable and Healthy Food

3. Federal Nutrition Programs

4. Emergency Food Assistance

Wisconsin Food Security ConsortiumEnding Hunger in Wisconsin Strategies:


Increasing access to education and training Improving job opportunities Affordable and appropriate childcare Affordable housing and energy Economic assistance programs utilized

Marley Street Garden Vendor at Present Broadway Market

Commercial Kitchen: UHAACC

Commercial Kitchen in Use

Food Entrepreneur

Community Resource Handbook

2. Access to Affordable and Healthy food (examples)

Nutrition education Needs assessment and advocacy for

development of downtown Save-A-Lot Grocery

Development of downtown New Leaf Market Food Cooperative in the works

Fruit and Vegetable Access Audit Community garden development

Oneida Center for Self Sufficiency

Walk and Talk:Money for Food Nutrition Education

Breastfeeding Education

Save‐A‐Lot Grocery Store

Downtown Food Project

Membership Options for New Leaf Market Excerpt from Membership Brochure

Fruit and Vegetable Access Audit –Variety and Quality

Fruit and Vegetable Audit

Community Gardens Community gardens space availability

increased gardeners from 6 families on one city lot to 180 families on 20 acres of gardens at one time. Now reduced to130 plots and reduced acreage.

Farmers market start-up for 16 new minority vendors

Growers developed small businesses Established new farmers market

Fruits of Labor

3. Federal Food Program Outreach:Food Share

Food Stamp outreach to eligible participants increased participation by 98% while the state utilization rate increased 52%

EBT at the Farmers Market is coming in 2011

USDA Outreach Campaign

EBT at the Farmers Marketcoming next season!!!

Percent Change in Food Share Recipients 2000‐2008 Figure 34

Percent Change in Food Stamp Recipients 2000 ‐ 2008

80%

191%

0% 50% 100% 150% 200% 250%

Wisconsin

Brown County

Brown County

Wisconsin

3. Federal Food Program Outreach: WIC (Women Infant and Children)

Figure 35

80%

106%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

Wisconsin

Brown County

Brown County

Wisconsin

Estimated Percentage of Eligible WIC Recipients Served 2008

3. Federal Food Program Outreach: School and Summer Meals

Summer breakfast program participation increased by 540%

School breakfast program participation increased by 539%

Number of summer lunch program meal sites increased by 660%

Percentage of Free and Reduced Lunch Recipients

23%

31%

34%

33%

37%

40%

43%

45%

46%

48%

51%

53%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

1998‐99

1999‐00

2000‐01

2001‐02

2002‐03

2003‐04

2004‐05

2005‐06

2006‐07

2007‐08

2008‐09

2009‐10

Percentage of Free andReduced Lunch Recipients

Percentage of Green Bay Students Eligible of Free and Reduced Meals Figure 36

Percentage of Low Income Children With School Breakfast Access Figure 37

Percent of low‐income children who have access to breakfast in their schools (2006)

81%

86%

78% 80% 82% 84% 86% 88%

Wisconsin

Brown County

Brown County

Wisconsin

Percent Change in School Breakfast Daily Participation

Figure 38Percent change in average daily participation in breakfast program (1999 ‐

2006)

95%

196%

0% 50% 100% 150% 200% 250%

Wisconsin

Brown County

Brown County

Wisconsin

Percent Change in Daily Summer Meal Sites July 2001‐2008

Figure 39

19%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80%

Wisconsin

Brown County

Brown CountyWisconsin

Percent Change in Average Daily Attendance for Summer Meal Sites July 2001 – July 2008

3. Federal Food Program Outreach:Senior Farmers Market Vouchers

Advocated for statewide access to Senior Farmers Market Voucher Program

Distributed 550, $30.00 vouchers to Brown County Seniors each year in 2002 – 2005Turned program management over to Aging and Disability Resource Center in 2006

4. Emergency Food Assistance:Food Pantries

Postal Food Drive Boy Scout Food Drive Beer Belly /run CROP Walk – funds raised were used to purchase

refrigerators for 8 pantries desiring to diversify the foods offered to families

Festival Foods Cart Away Hunger Feeding America Plant a Row for the Hungry University of Wisconsin Green Bay “Empty Bowl”

fundraiser with ceramics department.

Feeding America Partnership

Plant a Row for the Hungry

Festival Food “Cart Away Hunger”

Feed the Children

Food Pantry Utilization Trends

Food Pantry Usage Trends 2007‐2009

2,445 2,727 3,048

4,295

5,4305,842

3,5974,074

4,505

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3,000

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Households Adults Children


2. Access to Affordable and Healthy Food

3. Federal Nutrition Programs

4. Emergency Food Assistance

Strategies to End Hunger in Wisconsin

“To eliminate food insecurity….interventions are needed including, adequate funding for and increase in utilization of food and nutrition assistance programs, inclusion of food and nutrition education in such programs, and innovative programs to promote and support individual and household economic self‐sufficiency.”

(American Dietetics Association Position Paper on Food Insecurity, 2010)