Coronavirus Is Having a Dangerous Effect on Americans' Access to Food

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Today, the World Health Organization declared the global outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, a pandemic after nearly 120,000 people around the world tested positive.

By this point, you're probably feel inundated with info about the coronavirus precautions you should be taking, such as washing your hands, working from home (if you can), and stockpiling food (if you can). But what's not being so readily discussed is how many people in America may soon find it incredibly hard to get their hands on nutritious food to eat.

One in seven people, or 46 million people, in the U.S. rely on food banks, pantries, and meal service programs, according to a 2014 study from Feeding America. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, many of us are running to the grocery store and stocking up on packaged and canned foods and other non-perishables in the event of self- or mandated quarantine.

However, not everyone is financially fortunate enough to amass supplies in one big shopping spree. In fact, a recent study conducted by First National Bank of Omaha found that 49 percent of adults in the U.S. expect to live paycheck to paycheck this year. Those who do have the extra disposable income, on the other hand, are buying everything in bulk; effectively wiping grocery stores clean of essential products. As a result, this leaves minimal donations behind for local food banks, which then puts even more limitations on those who are already food insecure.

https://www.eatthis.com/coronavirus-food-access/?utm_source=nsltr&utm_medium=email&utm_content=best-diner-every-state&utm_campaign=etntNewsletter

[leftieNanner]

1. Very Scary

Locally, we have a program (Ashland Food Project) where people in the community donate non-perishable food in bags that are picked up from our front porches to be taken to the Food Bank every other month. It's a fantastic program and we have donated over a million pounds of food in ten years. Anyway, I got an email this morning that indicates that the food bank is suspending the program and only asking for money donations so they can stock the shelves themselves. I plan to donate via their website, but I hope this doesn't mean that they won't have enough food. Last time, in December, they collected 33,000 pounds of food! And they frequently run out before the next donation day.

As things shut down in this country. Food supply chains will be interrupted as well.

[2naSalit]

2. Perhaps it's too risky

collecting all that stuff from random locations where nobody knows who is ill when donations are made. Money gives them the opportunity to ensure safer supplies from one licensed provider or two.

[jimfields33]

3. I went to the dollar stairs yesterday and got 50 food items.

Cost is 50 dollars. No tax even in Florida. Anyway, it will last the 2 weeks. After I’ll go again. These stores have improved incredibly. I know 50 dollars is a lot if you don’t have it. But hopefully those who are fortunate to get food stamps get to the dollar store and stock up. I don’t have food stamps but if I did that is where I’d go.