Food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Nutrition insecurity is defined as inconsistent access, availability, and affordability of foods that promote wellbeing and prevent and if needed treat disease. Poor nutrition is a leading cause of illness, healthcare spending, and lost productivity. It disproportionately affects lower income patients and minority racial and ethnic groups. Nutrition insecurity can affect patients who are not considered food insecure. In the US, about 12.8% of US households and 30% of households in Montgomery County, Maryland experienced food insecurity at some point in 2022.

Addressing food and nutrition insecurity requires a multi-faceted approach. This includes improving economic conditions, ensuring better access to nutritious food, education about healthy eating, and targeted assistance programs. It also involves addressing systemic issues like poverty, unemployment, and inequality, which are often at the root of these insecurities.

By understanding and addressing both food and nutrition insecurity, there’s potential to make significant improvements in public health, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance the quality of life for many people, particularly those in vulnerable populations.

Get Involved:

Small:

• Sign a Change.org Petition

Medium:

Donate or Volunteer:

• Food And Friends

  “We home-deliver medically tailored meals, friendship and compassion across 5,300 square miles of the Washington Metropolitan Area – no matter the weather!”

• Maryland Food Bank

  “Now more than ever, we have proven that the food assistance safety net we’ve built over the last 43 years can withstand any crisis. Our expertise combined with a statewide network of thousands of community partners makes it possible to meet the immediate needs of food-insecure Marylanders while simultaneously working to create pathways out of hunger. We are helping Maryland recover by feeding people, strengthening communities, and ending hunger for more Marylanders.”

• Hungry Harvest

  “At Hungry Harvest we’re bringing plant power to the people by rescuing farm fresh fruits and vegetables that would otherwise go to waste and affordably and conveniently bringing them right to your door. Every Harvest we deliver saves at least 10 pounds of food from going to waste, helps close food access gaps, and works to reduce our overall environmental impact.”

• DC Greens

  “The Produce Rx program allows healthcare providers to prescribe fruit and vegetables to their patients diagnosed with pre-diabetes, diabetes, or hypertension. Patients are given monthly funds to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating grocery store locations.”

Large:

• Join the Healthcare For Change Food and Nutrition Insecurity Cohort