What is childhood
food insecurity?
Measurement
We decided to focus on one zip code because data and statistics are available for zip codes and we can compare zip codes.
For example, using suburban Zip Code 45242 for comparison, we know that:
| Statistics by zip code | 45225 (City) | 45242 (Suburb) |
| Median family income (2000 census) | $13,000 | $78,000 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000 population) | 293 | 81 |
| Infant mortality rate | 2% | 0.6% |
These statistics illustrate how hard it would be to find the money to raise the children of 45225 and how hunger might be inevitable.
Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) can be an indicator of inadequate nutrition for school-age mothers as well as food-insecure infants. The IMR in zip code 45225 is the same as for Mexico, Sri Lanka and Venezuela and three times higher than the IMR for the USA and Canada. Also, birth rates are found to be higher in food-insecure communities - 45225 has the same birth rate as Guatemala.
The government provides a map of hungry children, to show free and subsidized school lunch eligibility. Red areas have 80-100% eligibility.
Map of food-insecure children in 45225
Weekend Lunch Sacks
Before leaving school on Friday, children receive a lunch sack of kid-friendly food. These were the contents of a recent sack for a four-day weekend:
| Item | No. of items | Total calories | Calories from fat | |
| Raman Noodles | 1 | 380 | 140 | |
| Fruit Snack | 1 | 80 | 0 | |
| Peanut Butter Cup | 2 | 260 | 180 | |
| Honey Grahams | 2 | 1,220 | 220 | |
| Cheese Crackers | 2 | 420 | 180 | |
| Peanut Crackers | 2 | 400 | 180 | |
| Totals | 10 | 2,760 | 900 |
If you would like to get involved in piloting new solutions for childhood food insecurity please contact Tony Fairhead who can provide more information at 513-910-4162 or by email to tony@childhoodfoodsolutions.org.
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Childhood Food Solutions is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit, 2573 Saint Leo Place, Cincinnait, Ohio 45225