FAMILIES AND HUNGER
In New Mexico, hundreds of thousands of people are at risk of hunger, which can include entire families. Our working poor families in New Mexico are highly likely to experience hunger. They simply can’t afford the food they need to feed their household with lower incomes and wages. These families make tough choices over education and food, housing and food, even medical care and food.
Families that struggle to feed their children often have more problems than just trying to figure out what’s on the dinner plate each night.
Hunger research shows that:
- Nearly 90% of hungry households earn less than $20,000 a year. They may have to be forced to choose between food, medication or heating the house.
- More than half of the hungry households we serve have an employed family member, but they often work in low-paying jobs that do not allow them to make ends meet.
- Grandparents raising grandchildren have doubled in the past 40 years, leaving two vulnerable populations — children and seniors — experiencing hunger together.
- 75% of hungry households report they knowingly purchase inexpensive, unhealthy food as the most common way to have at least some food to eat.
- Data show that children facing hunger and poverty are likely to experience chronic health conditions such as asthma, anemia, obesity, digestive problems, oral health issues, hyperactivity and also experience higher rates of hospitalization.
- Children experiencing hunger also have learning difficulties, delayed development, attachment issues, and other social issues that may cause them to be labeled or bullied.
Family Hunger Addressed Through Access to Quality Food
We believe in providing the highest quality food possible to struggling children and families. It is one reason we have focused on bringing as much produce as possible into our distribution center to provide to our statewide hunger network. In fact, about 30% of the food we distribute annually includes nutritious food items like fresh fruits and vegetables.
At Roadrunner® Food Bank, we believe solving family hunger is the beginning of fixing many other problems. To address family hunger, we have created several programs and initiatives to bring food to both children and families in need.
