STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
The latest Map the Meal Gap data from Feeding America points to a significant increase in food insecurity across Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland’s 42-county region, including Barren County.
211,370 people living within its service area were estimated to be food insecure in 2024, an increase of about 23,200 individuals compared with the previous year, according to the organization.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines food insecurity as a lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food to support an active, healthy life.
Feeding America officials say those numbers represent more than statistics and reflect a serious public health challenge with social, economic and medical consequences for individuals, families and communities.
“The continued increase in food insecurity highlights the critical role that FAKH and our network of agency partners play in communities across Kentucky’s Heartland,” said Charles Dennis, executive director of Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland.
“With the support of our partners and supporters, we are committed to providing hope, resources and nourishment to our neighbors in need,” Dennis said.
Barren County’s food insecurity rate stands at 21.6 percent, meaning about one in five residents, or roughly 9,720 people, lack consistent access to enough food, according to the organization.
That rate is 7.2 percentage points higher than the national average cited by Feeding America. Children are being hit even harder.
Officials say 30.9 percent of children in Barren County, or approximately one in three, are believed to experience food insecurity, affecting an estimated 3,310 kids.
Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland and its partners say they are working to meet the need. During the last fiscal year, the organization reports investing more than $1 million in Barren County through government commodities, donated food and purchased products.
Working with 10 local agency partners, Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland says it distributed nearly 637,200 pounds of food in the county, enough to provide almost 531,000 meals for children, families and seniors facing hunger.
The impact of that work can be seen in the stories of residents like Barren County’s Penny Stein.
Through food distribution efforts supported by Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland, Stein said the organization has provided a vital resource for her family, including her grandchildren and elderly mother, while also giving her a chance to give back as a volunteer.
“It’s like a second family we have,” Stein said.
“When we first moved here, we had no family here except for our own children and they just stepped up and they were family for us and they’ve always stayed family,” she said.
Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland plans to mark Hunger Action Month in September, joining Feeding America and food banks nationwide in efforts to raise awareness and inspire action to fight hunger.
On Tuesday, Sept. 29, food banks across the country are expected to participate in Hunger Action Day, encouraging communities to stand together in support of hunger relief.
The organization is inviting individuals, businesses and community groups to wear orange, the official color of hunger relief, as a visible show of support and a reminder of the continued need.
Officials say more information about Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland and ways to support its mission to ensure no one in Kentucky’s Heartland goes hungry is available on the organization’s website.
Key Facts
– New Map the Meal Gap data shows rising food insecurity across Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland’s 42-county region.
– An estimated 211,370 people in the region faced food insecurity in 2024, up by about 23,200 from the prior year.
– Barren County’s food insecurity rate is 21.6%, or roughly 9,720 residents without consistent access to enough food.
– About 30.9% of children in Barren County, or around 3,310 kids, are believed to experience food insecurity.
– Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland says it invested over $1 million in Barren County last fiscal year.
– The organization and 10 local partners distributed nearly 637,200 pounds of food, enough for almost 531,000 meals.
– Hunger Action Month is in September, with Hunger Action Day planned for Tuesday, Sept. 29.
– Residents and organizations are encouraged to wear orange and support hunger relief efforts.
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