Montgomery County is home to four of the most diverse cities in our country. Our neighbors include working parents juggling multiple jobs, older adults with mobility challenges, and families in rural areas far from food sources.
34% of our neighbors face food insecurity, according to the most recent Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report. Half of all students in our county qualify for free and reduced meals.
Food security is complex, with roots in poverty, housing costs, isolation, location, and health issues.
When we learn about the issues, we can advocate for changes that build long-term food security and solve hunger.
The issues behind food security
Cost of living
Employment alone isn’t always enough. Wages have not kept up with the significant cost of living in the Washington region, increasing the burden on low- and moderate-income individuals and families. A family of three would need to earn $56.81 per hour to be self-sufficient, and a minimum wage worker would need to work 120 hours per week just to meet basic needs.
Health and health care
The high cost of health care means that many of our neighbors need to choose between medicine or meals. Food insecurity can lead to chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Health conditions like these make access to nutritious food more important while increasing the cost of health care.
Location
Where our neighbors live shouldn’t determine what they eat. In our county, many areas do not have convenient access to grocery stores or to public transportation, which means that our neighbors do not have access to nutritious and affordable food.
Systemic inequality
Historical and systemic barriers — including racial and economic disparities — disproportionately affect who experiences hunger. Addressing food insecurity requires us to confront these inequities head-on and advocate for a more just distribution of resources.