New numbers show fewer Idahoans are going hungry
Fewer Idahoans are going hungry. For the fifth year in a row, a study from “Feeding America” shows a positive trend for Idahoans.
The new study, shows 13.2 percent of the population in Idaho struggles with food insecurity. That’s down from the 14 percent from the previous year.
In Eastern Idaho, that number is below the state average at 13 percent.
“We’re facing the lowest unemployment rate that we’ve seen in quite a while,” explained Dave Manson, the Executive Director of the Community Food Basket of Idaho Falls. “The city leadership, business leaders, and so forth have done an amazing job of not just bringing new business into this area, but growing and expanding the businesses that are here.”
This is encouraging news for the area, but with summer coming, those numbers could go back up.
“The impact of the SNAP program and what’s happening there,” Manson said. “With school letting out means that we have to be prepared for a pretty tough summer.”
The qualifications for the SNAP programs have become more restrictive. According to the Community Food Basket of Idaho Falls, there will be about 7,000 fewer families who qualify for food stamps.
Plus, many local students who benefit from free and reduced meals during the school year will be without the program during the summer.
Resources like the soup kitchen provide a hot nutritious meal for anybody that come by. Their hours of operation are from noon to 1:00 p.m. daily, at 301 South Boulevard in Idaho Falls.
As well, as the community food basket, who provide a four-day supply of emergency food for families. Open Monday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Recipients will receive a full supply of food once every month.
School districts are also doing their part and helping feed families during this upcoming summer season.
“Getting our summer program ready to go and we’re anxious to start that as soon as we can after school [stops] because we know that the food insecurity doesn’t end because school starts,” said Heather Plain, the child nutrition director for Bonneville School District 93.
During the month of June, children ages 1 to 18 can get free breakfast and lunch at Cloverdale Elementary, Discovery Elementary, and Summit Hills Elementary in Bonneville County. The program will also be held at McCowin Park during June and July. Mondays through Thursday, breakfast is 8:00 a.m. through 8:30 a.m. and lunch 11a.m through noon.
Parents are also welcome to purchase a meal.
“Come eat with their kids and just come,” said Plain. “Take advantage of that.”
In years past, Bonneville School District 93 has been required by the USDA to increase prices of school lunches. However, thanks to a grant, it will not be raising prices for the next school year.
