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Second Harvest Heartland's New Hunger Study

Second Harvest Heartland has recently unveiled data highlighting a significant issue facing many families across Minnesota. According to their latest Statewide Hunger Study, a staggering 1 in 5 households in the state are grappling with food insecurity—meaning they often lack consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life.

Notably, 18% of Minnesota households are receiving some form of hunger relief assistance. This situation underscores the difficulty many families face in meeting their basic nutritional needs, particularly in light of rising costs related to housing, healthcare, energy, and childcare.

CEO Allison O'Toole poignantly articulated the crux of the issue: "People cannot afford the food they need while grappling with these escalating expenses." She further emphasized the urgency for a sustainable solution, recognizing that while Minnesota's hunger relief network is currently operational, its ability to provide emergency food aid indefinitely is limited. The pressing need is to tackle the underlying causes of food insecurity, thus minimizing the reliance on emergency assistance.

The study also revealed stark disparities in food security levels across different demographics. For instance, only 60% of households of color reported being food-secure, compared to 84% of white households. Additionally, families with children are disproportionately affected, with 26% of these households facing food insecurity. Areas in southwestern and northern Minnesota demonstrate even greater need, where 1 in 4 households identify as food insecure.

What sets this study apart is its nuanced approach to data collection, which provides real-time insights into the hunger crisis. Unlike other reports that may suffer from reporting delays, this data helps Minnesota's hunger relief network formulate immediate strategies to address pressing needs effectively.

Make Hunger History Initiative

In a bold move announced in January 2024, Second Harvest Heartland set a monumental goal to halve the hunger rate for Minnesotans by 2030. The Make Hunger History initiative envisions a future where 90% of families in Minnesota can afford to buy the food they require. In pursuit of this ambitious goal, Second Harvest Heartland aims to bring together community leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders to forge partnerships that not only reduce emergency food requirements but also ensure that nutritious food reaches those most in need.

One year into this initiative, Second Harvest Heartland continues to harness insights from their research to inform strategic priorities. By implementing operational reforms, establishing community partnerships, and engaging in advocacy, they are building upon existing efforts to make hunger history.

To further elevate the mission, Second Harvest Heartland is organizing the first Make Hunger History Summit on January 31, 2025. This event will convene Minnesota’s most innovative hunger relief and human service organizations to discuss strategies to tackle ongoing hunger challenges. The summit's theme, Forging New Pathways, aims to facilitate collaboration among national and local leaders to address food insecurity comprehensively.

For those interested in contributing to this cause, many opportunities exist—ranging from donations to local food shelves, volunteering with community hunger relief programs, or participating in statewide advocacy efforts. Detailed information can be found at 2harvest.org.

About Second Harvest Heartland

As a principal hunger-relief organization in the region, Second Harvest Heartland partners with over 1,000 food shelves and hunger-relief programs across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Last year alone, they distributed 145 million meals to neighbors in need and assisted families in enrolling for food assistance. Their role as a leader in hunger-related policy discussions further solidifies their commitment to solving hunger in Minnesota. To learn more about their initiatives and find ways to get involved, visit 2harvest.org.