March was National Nutrition Month, a time when we were encouraged to learn about good nutrition and ways to develop healthy eating habits. When equipped with that knowledge, you may be able to go to your neighborhood grocery store and purchase lean meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables. The problem is that knowledge isn’t the primary barrier to good nutrition habits for millions of individuals in this country. For the approximately 34 million food insecure Americans, maintaining good nutrition can often take a backseat to ensuring their families have consistent access to food.

79% of families claimed to eat unhealthy meals when there is not enough funds to purchase healthier options.

Nutritious foods, such as fresh produce or proteins, are often pricier and risk spoiling quicker than packaged items. This means that families have to weigh taking the risk of wasting money on foods that go bad before they can consume them or risk purchasing expensive produce their kids may not eat. Additionally, supermarkets or corner stores that sell quality, nutritious food items may not be in the neighborhoods of food insecure individuals. So even when families are aware of the benefits of a good diet, lack of economic opportunity can put a stranglehold on their ability to make healthy choices because of the trade-offs they have to make every day to pay for essential needs such as housing, transportation, medicine, and food.

Of course, the consequences of these forced choices are significant. Foods that are cheaper and easier to obtain are high in added sugar, saturated fat, and salt. These foods provide quick calories but can also come with lasting health consequences. Research has shown that poor nutrition leads to poor health outcomes and is associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and broader impacts, including higher healthcare costs and fewer days at work due to illness. For example, adults who experience food insecurity are 2 to 3 times more likely to have diabetes than people who do not experience food insecurity. Children are also impacted, as poor nutrition has been shown to impact cognitive development and slow academic achievement.

These adults and children live in your neighborhood, they may even be a part of your household. So, what easy thing can you do? Contact your elected officials about the Farm Bill, which houses the largest federal nutrition programs and is set to be reauthorized this year. Your Congressperson needs to know the importance of the following:

  • Supporting SNAP benefits at a level that allows individuals and families to consume a consistently nutritious diet.
  • Increasing funding in the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to fill the gap between price increases and the number of families needing emergency assistance.
  • Updating the food package for seniors receiving the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) to reflect their health needs better.
  • Supporting the expansion of the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GUSNIP) to provide greater access to Produce Rx and double SNAP buck programs to communities with low food access.

Go to the Houston Food Bank’s Action Center at www.houstonfoodbank.org/actioncenter