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THE HUNGER STUDY

Hunger in America Study 2009

Hunger in America 2009 is the fifth national hunger study conducted by Feeding America and its member food banks. The purpose of the study is to conduct research into the distribution of food assistance services to low-income Americans through our network of agencies. This research is one of the most in-depth surveys of its size assessing the problem of hunger in America. The 2009 study amassed over 61,000 personal interviews with individuals who received food assistance and from 37,000 food distribution agencies.

The Hunger Study is unique in that it surveys both hunger relief organizations in local communities and compares those findings with agencies from other communities across the country, and surveys the clients who access these agencies’ services to determine the reasons they need food assistance. This two pronged study – local agencies and recipients – enables the food banking community to better quantify the needs of its communities, and analyze the capacity of the charitable food distribution system to meet those needs.

Past Hunger Studies have been cited as authoritative research by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, House and Senate Budget Committees, House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees in various public events and legislative hearings over the last few years.

In the coming months, the Food Bank of South Jersey will be releasing a full report detailing the findings of the 2009 study. In the interim, you can find some key summary points here. If you would like to be notified when the full study is available, please contact Mario Partee at mpartee@foodbanksj.org or call 856.662.4884 ext 127