One Health

Food insecurity is an official term used by the US Department of Agriculture to refer to situations where people do not have access to sufficient food and/or they do not know where their next meal is coming from. Food insecurity can stem from financial insecurity, but it can also be caused by issues of accessibility. Are there quality grocery stores in your neighborhood? Can they be accessed through reliable public transportation?

Food insecurity is a public health crisis as it significantly impacts people's physical and mental health, their ability to focus at school and work, and their overall well-being.

Facts about food insecurity in the United States:

• 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience it annually
• Poor nutrition leads to 600,000 deaths annually as it is a contributor to heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers
• Black and Latino people living below the poverty line experience it at a rate that is double the national average

While there is not good data right now about food insecurity in pets, we know that people who struggle to get food for themselves also struggle to get food for their pets. In 2021, over 53 million people visited food banks across the US. Since then, most food banks are reporting increases in the number of visitors they are seeing. The map below shows the prevalence of food insecurity in the US by state. 

How does your state compare? Does your community have quality, accessible food options? Have you seen pet food offered at local food banks?

References

• Feeding America. (2025). What is Food Insecurity? https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity
• US Department of Agriculture. (2024, July 9). Nutrition Security Promotion Toolkit. https://www.fns.usda.gov/programs/nutrition-security/promotion
• US Department of Agriculture. (2025, January 8). Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics. Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics

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Kaitlyn Davis
Research Associate
UTK Program for Pet Health Equity
Knoxville, TN
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Thanks for the data Kaitlyn! 

There are a couple of posts on Dr Blackwell's discussion about March being National Nutrition month that tells of a couple of programs that provide for all members of the family (human and pets) - https://forum.maddiesfund.org/onehealth/discussion/national-nutrition-month

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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity
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Original Message:
Sent: 03-11-2025 09:51 AM
From: Kaitlyn Davis
Subject: Food Insecurity, A Public Health Crisis for People and Pets Alike

Food insecurity is an official term used by the US Department of Agriculture to refer to situations where people do not have access to sufficient food and/or they do not know where their next meal is coming from. Food insecurity can stem from financial insecurity, but it can also be caused by issues of accessibility. Are there quality grocery stores in your neighborhood? Can they be accessed through reliable public transportation?

Food insecurity is a public health crisis as it significantly impacts people's physical and mental health, their ability to focus at school and work, and their overall well-being.

Facts about food insecurity in the United States:

• 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience it annually
• Poor nutrition leads to 600,000 deaths annually as it is a contributor to heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers
• Black and Latino people living below the poverty line experience it at a rate that is double the national average

While there is not good data right now about food insecurity in pets, we know that people who struggle to get food for themselves also struggle to get food for their pets. In 2021, over 53 million people visited food banks across the US. Since then, most food banks are reporting increases in the number of visitors they are seeing. The map below shows the prevalence of food insecurity in the US by state. 

How does your state compare? Does your community have quality, accessible food options? Have you seen pet food offered at local food banks?

References

• Feeding America. (2025). What is Food Insecurity? https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity
• US Department of Agriculture. (2024, July 9). Nutrition Security Promotion Toolkit. https://www.fns.usda.gov/programs/nutrition-security/promotion
• US Department of Agriculture. (2025, January 8). Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics. Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics

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Kaitlyn Davis
Research Associate
UTK Program for Pet Health Equity
Knoxville, TN
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