The Facts
- Arizona is the third worst state in the U.S. for food insecurity rates
- 1 in 4 children
- 1 in 5 adults
- 1 in 7 seniors
Struggle with Hunger- 888,100 unduplicated Arizonans received emergency food assistance in 2009, an 85% increase from the 2006 study.
- Almost half (46%) of those were children under the age of 18.
- 74% of households lived below the federal poverty line, defined as $22,050 annually for a family of four.
- 77% of households experienced food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain food availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.
Tough Choices
- Of Arizonans receiving emergency food from the United Food Bank network:
- 50% report choosing between paying for food or utilities
- 41% report choosing between paying for food or their rent or mortgage
- 27% report choosing between paying for food or for medical care
*This information comes from the 2010 Hunger in America Report
