Trump Administration Ends Decades-Long Effort to Track Food Security in the US

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it is ending the annual Household Food Security reports, which were introduced in the 1990s to help state and federal officials decide on food assistance programs. According to the latest USDA report, published in September last year, approximately 18 million U.S. households were food insecure at some time during 2023, a million more than in 2022. The decision to cancel the reports comes as the USDA was set to release its 2024 survey data. Critics argue that the administration's claim that the report has become politicized is unfounded, as the survey has been produced annually by both Republican and Democratic administrations for over 30 years.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump administration has ended the annual Household Food Security reports, which were introduced in the 1990s to track food security in the US.
• The reports were used to help state and federal officials decide on food assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.
• The latest USDA report found that approximately 18 million U.S. households were food insecure at some time during 2023, a million more than in 2022.
• Critics argue that the administration's claim that the report has become politicized is unfounded, as the survey has been produced annually by both Republican and Democratic administrations for over 30 years.
• The decision to cancel the reports comes as the USDA was set to release its 2024 survey data.
• The cancellation of the report has triggered alarm among aid groups that provide food to millions of struggling Americans.
• Researchers often use the term "food insecurity" instead of hunger to more broadly encompass a number of important factors that go beyond the physical sensation of hunger.
• In 2023, approximately 6.8 million American households experienced a more severe form of food insecurity, where families "absolutely feel hunger."

Statistics:

• 18 million U.S. households were food insecure at some time during 2023, a million more than in 2022 (USDA report).
• Approximately 6.8 million American households experienced a more severe form of food insecurity in 2023 (USDA report).
• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to approximately 40 million Americans (Congressional Budget Office estimate).

Sources:

• The Washington Post
• The Wall Street Journal
• University of California at Berkeley's Food Nutrition and Population Health Program
• Center for American Progress
• USDA Household Food Security reports