Hunger stalks millions of poor Americans [View All]

An escalating global food crisis could bring the problem of hunger home to the US and other developed countries.

Millions of poor Americans risk going hungry if food prices continue to rise and food agencies struggle to cope with rising costs, dwindling resources and a huge increase in demand.

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Filling the gap where government help does not reach is a network of 200 regional food banks that distributes food to about 30,000 churches and soup kitchens around the country. America’s Second Harvest, the body that oversees the network, estimates the number of people seeking its help has risen by up to 25 per cent in the past year.

About 40 per cent of the 13m working-age adults served by the organisation come from households where at least one family member has a job, said Vicki Escarra, chief executive.

“The face of poverty and hunger has changed in the past few years. The notion that it’s just homeless people is inaccurate.”

Financial Times