Food insecurity is a challenge many of our neighbors’ face. And while food insecurity is a year-round issue, the summer months bring unique and pressing challenges, particularly for children. When school doors close, so too do the reliable meal programs many children depend on, creating a “summer hunger gap.” In June, communities across the country come together for National Hunger Awareness Month, working together to combat food insecurity.
What Exactly Is Food Insecurity?
Food isn’t just about satisfying hunger; it’s the fuel our bodies need to grow, live, and thrive. When access to this fuel is unreliable, or when the only available options are highly processed, nutrient-poor foods, the consequences ripple through every aspect of health.
Often, when people hear “hunger,” they picture someone actively starving. But food insecurity is a more complex issue. The USDA defines food insecurity as a household’s inability to provide enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. This isn’t always about a complete absence of food, it can mean:
- Limited access to nutritious options: Fresh produce, lean proteins, and whole grains might be unaffordable or unavailable in certain neighborhoods, forcing reliance on cheaper, less healthy alternatives.
- Worry about running out of food: The constant stress of not knowing where the next meal will come from can take a significant toll on mental and physical health.
- Compromised quality or variety of food: Meals might be repetitive, lacking essential vitamins and minerals crucial for overall health and disease prevention.
- Skipping meals or reducing portion sizes: Adults may sacrifice their own meals to ensure children eat, leading to nutrient deficiencies and chronic health issues.
Common Misconceptions of Food Insecurity
It’s important to understand that food insecurity isn’t just about an empty stomach or a lack of personal responsibility.
- It’s not always visible: Many people experiencing food insecurity may appear to be stable on the surface. They might be working, raising families, and contributing to the community, while silently struggling to put food on the table.
- It’s not just about rural areas: Food deserts, areas without easy access to affordable, nutritious food, exist in both rural and urban settings, making healthy eating a challenge regardless of location.
- It’s not a choice: No one chooses to be food insecure. It’s often the result of complex socio-economic factors like low wages, unemployment, unexpected medical expenses, or lack of affordable housing.
- It doesn’t always mean a lack of calories: Food-insecure individuals can sometimes be overweight or obese. This is often due to reliance on inexpensive, calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods that are more filling but lack essential nutrients, contributing to chronic health issues.
- It can be hard to ask for help: Food insecure people can often face shame from society that makes it difficult for them to seek help.
The Alarming Health Consequences of Food Insecurity
The link between food insecurity and poor health outcomes is well-established. Individuals facing food insecurity are significantly more likely to develop and struggle with chronic health conditions.
Chronic Diseases
Food-insecure individuals are disproportionately affected by diet-sensitive chronic diseases. This includes a higher risk of developing:
- Type 2 Diabetes: Irregular eating patterns and reliance on high-sugar, high-fat foods can disrupt blood sugar regulation.
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Diets lacking fresh foods and high in sodium contribute to elevated blood pressure.
- Heart Disease: A diet poor in nutrients and rich in unhealthy fats increases the risk of cardiovascular problems.
- Obesity: This can be a counterintuitive outcome, driven by the economics of food choices.
Mental Health Impact
The chronic stress of food insecurity can lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. This stress can also make it harder to manage existing health conditions.
Child Development
For children, food insecurity can have long-lasting effects on physical and mental development. It’s associated with:
- Poor overall health and growth (e.g., stunting)
- Iron deficiency anemia
- Behavioral and emotional problems
- Difficulties in school and lower academic performance
Increased Healthcare Costs
Studies show that food insecurity is a strong predictor of higher healthcare utilization and increased healthcare costs. People who are food insecure are more likely to visit emergency rooms and be hospitalized.
How Dietitians Support Food Security in Primary Care
Registered dietitians are food and nutrition experts who play a key role in understanding the complex connections between food, health, and challenges like food insecurity. Within primary care settings, RDs can contribute by:
- Identifying at-risk individuals: We screen for signs of food insecurity and recognize its impact on health outcomes.
- Offer Practical Nutrition Guidance: We offer evidence-based advice on how to make nutritious food choices within a budget, focusing on meal planning, ingredient selection, and reducing food waste.
- Connect patients to resources: A vital part of our role involves helping individuals and families access local and national food assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, food banks, and summer meal programs.
What Can YOU Do to Help?
Addressing food insecurity requires a community-wide effort. This summer, Avance Care offices across North Carolina are joining together to collect non-perishable food items right in their clinics as part of a statewide food drive called, “Avance Against Hunger.” Donations made by patients and community members will stay local – helping fight food insecurity in the communities closest to us.
Join us as we Avance Against Hunger! Donations can be dropped off at participating Avance Care clinics across the Triangle, Charlotte, and Wilmington from June 23 – July 14, 2025. For a full list of accepted donation items and drop-off locations, visit here.
Along with donating needed goods to local food drives, you can also volunteer at local or state food banks.
Food security is not a luxury—it’s a basic human right and a cornerstone of good health. By working together, we can ensure more individuals in our communities have access to the nutritious food they need to live a healthy, productive life.
If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, or if you’d like to discuss your health goals with a dietitian, consider scheduling an appointment online here or call 919-237-1337, option 4, to schedule over the phone.
