Hunger: An issue we can agree on

Hunger continues to be far too widespread in our nation. Americans recognize that families are running out of food at the end of the month and that children are eating less nutritious and cheaper food so their parents can scrape together money to pay the rent. They realize that seniors are often choosing whether to pay for prescriptions or food. They know that many children go hungry in the summer when school is out. Indeed, 45 percent of Americans say that hunger in the U.S. is a “serious problem.”

These are sobering thoughts, but people believe there is a solution and they are looking for the government, in addition to individuals and local communities, to lead. Overwhelmingly, people believe that government should tackle this problem. More than 80 percent of Democrats and 70 percent of Independents believe the federal and local government has responsibility, and 50 percent of Republicans believe that the federal government has responsibility.

{mosads}These findings come from a recent poll that we conducted to delve into attitudes and perceptions on hunger. While it may not come as a surprise that Americans want to see an end to hunger, there’s a greater awareness of hunger and what it means, mainly because more people are seeing and experiencing this struggle.

Two out of five Americans have either experienced hunger in the past year or personally know someone who has- and that includes nearly half of people aged 18 to 34. Nearly three in 10 Americans (and half of millenials) have used food assistance programs in the past couple of years — themselves or members of their immediate families. That includes at least 25 percent of nearly every major demographic subgroup.

The recognition that hunger is a serious issue crosses demographic lines, but is particularly acute among women. Fifty-two percent of women say hunger in the U.S. is an extremely serious problem while 36 percent of men say the same. When it comes to how to solve hunger, however, the gender gap narrows. Fifty-one percent of women and 45 percent of men say that Congress needs to spend more to address the problem. Only 18 percent overall think that less should be spent

Across party lines and demographic lines, people believe government should be actively engaged in finding the solution to hunger and the harm that it causes. For members of Congress, the answer should be a clear one: People want them to show bi-partisan leadership, to invest what is needed in programs which are helping so many put healthy food on the table. In fact, many people recognize that the nutrition programs – especially school meals and WIC – are leading to better outcomes for children: they help children learn and improve their overall health and well-being.

What’s most important is that people believe the United States should be a place where all children – all people – have the food they need to build healthy bodies and strong minds. They want government to lead this effort. It’s something we all can agree on.

Lilygren is executive vice president of Corporate Affairs at Tyson Foods, and Weill is president of the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).