Despite the state producing the country鈥檚 fruits and vegetables, are food insecure, meaning they have to adequate food. Food insecurity , but hunger is a possible outcome.
People experience food insecurity in . Some families may only eat lesser quality food, while others may simply eat less.
Food insecurity can have long-term physical and mental health effects. that food-insecure children can experience developmental delays and have trouble learning language. Children also are more likely to fall sick, recover more slowly, and be hospitalized more often if their access to food is inconsistent, . Food-insecure adults face higher rates of , , .
The COVID-19 pandemic brought sharper awareness to hunger in California, as many Americans experienced food insecurity for the first time. In the last year record inflation drove food prices . Then in April, an influx of federal food aid from the pandemic dried up. The state has tried to take advantage of federal programs that provide food aid and expand the pool of who is eligible for help. Still, some warn that the number of food-insecure Californians will rise .
Here鈥檚 a look at how big the problem is, why it鈥檚 challenging to get help to those who need it and some potential solutions to hunger in California.
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