SVMC Community Health Needs Assessment 2021 - Catalog - Page 38
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Food Security
Food security, a term that has recently become more common in the public lexicon, is broadly defined
as the “ability to have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all
times that meet food preferences and dietary needs for a healthy life.”34 In 2019, the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA) reported that 10.5% of US households were food insecure, meaning that they had
limited or uncertain access to adequate food.35
Survey Responses: Challenges with Food Security
n=1,503
20%
15%
A major challenge
10%
Somewhat of a challenge
5%
A small challenge
0%
13-34 years
35-64 years
65+ years
Responses to SVMC’s community health survey indicated that very few individuals were having major
challenges with food security locally. It is important to note, however, that the survey collected
responses in early 2021, when multiple additional food supports were available due to COVID-19.36
Food Insecurity37
County
Bennington County
Windham County
Berkshire County
Washington County
Rensselaer County
Percentage of population
that is food insecure
12%
12%
10%
11%
11%
State
Vermont 12%
Massachusetts 9%
New York 11%
Within both Bennington and Windham Counties, 2% of high school students reported that they “went
hungry most of the time or always because there was not enough food in their home, in the past 30
days.”17, 18
34
International Food Policy Research Institute. Food Security. https://www.ifpri.org/topic/food-security.
U.S. Department of Agriculture: Economic Research Service. Definitions of Food Security. Last updated September 9, 2020.
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security.aspx
36 Feeding America. The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020 and 2021. Published March 2021.
https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2021-03/National%20Projections%20Brief_3.9.2021_0.pdf
37 Food insecurity: A diet and exercise measure. County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. University of Wisconsin Population
Health Institute: School of Medicine and Public Health with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. 2021 County
Health Rankings using data from 2018. https://www.countyhealthrankings.org/
35
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Community Health Needs Assessment 2021