What is Food Insecurity?

Definition of Food Insecurity

The USDA defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. This can be a temporary situation for a family or can last a long time. Food insecurity is one way we measure how many people can't afford food.

More than 34 million people, including 9 million children experience food insecurity in the United States.

Effects of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity can have a wide impact, depending on someone's circumstances. Some examples of the effects of food insecurity can have are that it can cause serious health issues when people have to choose between spending money on food and medicine or healthcare. Food insecurity can make it more difficult for a child to learn and grow. Food insecurity can lead to difficult decisions like choosing between food and rent, bills, and transportation.

Causes of Food Insecurity

Unfortunately, many people in America struggle to meet their basic needs, which increases their risk of food insecurity. For example, tough economic conditions, lay-offs at work, unexpected car maintenance, or an accident can suddenly force a family to choose between buying food or paying the bills.

The causes of food insecurity are complex. Some of the causes of food insecurity include:

Poverty, unemployment, or low income
Lack of affordable housing
Chronic health conditions or lack of access to healthcare
Systemic racism and racial discrimination

Households have problems at times, or anxiety about, accessing adequate food, but the quality, variety, and quantity of their food intake are not substantially reduced.
At times throughout the year, eating patterns of one or more household members are disrupted and food intake reduces because the household lacked money and other resources for food.
Households have food consumption gaps with high or above average acute malnutrition OR accelerated depletion of livelihood assets that will lead to food consumption gaps
Households have large food consumption gaps resulting in very high malnutrition and or face extreme loss of livelihood assets that will lead to food consumption gaps.
Households have an extreme lack of food and other basic needs. Starvation and death are imminent.

Ending Food Insecurity

Part of what makes food insecurity so difficult to solve is that the underlying causes — poverty, unemployment/under-employment, and inconsistent access to enough healthy food — are often deeply interconnected. Moving in and out of food insecurity adds more stress to a household that may already be wrestling with instability and unpredictability.

Great American Community Kitchen is working to help combat this throughout Northern Virginia. In addition to helping provide meals to people who face hunger and bringing a smile to people’s faces, we work to raise awareness about the issue and advocate for policies to protect people in need.

Great American Community Kitchen started with a simple idea. When people are in need, help them.

Great American Community Kitchen is a 501c (3) non-profit charitable organization dedicated to feeding communities in need. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the rising costs of food due to current economic conditions, we have witnessed first-hand the struggles faced by families in the Northern Virginia area to put meals on their tables. It is our unwavering mission to make a difference and to bring hope to those who need it the most.

Every day, our Food Truck hits the streets, serving 1500 free meals to communities throughout the week. We understand that people may question our intentions, wondering if there's a catch or ulterior motive behind our efforts. But let us assure you, we do what we do out of pure love and an unwavering desire to help and to give back. It’s more than just food; it's a symbol of compassion. We believe that every individual deserves access to fresh & delicious meals, regardless of their circumstances. Our dedicated team of chefs and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure that each meal we serve is prepared with love, using high-quality ingredients that tastes great and nourishes the body and soul.

But we cannot achieve our goals alone. We rely on the generosity and support of the community to continue our mission. Your donations, no matter the size, have the power to make a tangible impact on the lives of countless families who are struggling to make ends meet right now. It’s truly a community effort. Neighbors helping neighbors. One meal at a time.

By contributing to our cause, you become an integral part of our community, extending a helping hand to those who need it. If you're looking to make a difference beyond financial support, we warmly invite you to join our team of passionate volunteers. Together, we can prepare meals, serve smiles, and build connections within our community. Your time and energy can create a ripple effect of positive change, inspiring others to lend a hand and spread the message of compassion and support.

We believe that a well-fed community is a strong and resilient one. Join us in our mission to alleviate hunger, restore hope, and build a brighter future for our neighbors. Together, we can make a difference; one delicious meal, one smile, and one act of kindness at a time.

Donate, volunteer, or spread the word today. Together, let's nourish our communities and create a world where no one goes to bed hungry.