Food Insecurity
about the food insecurity group
Adequate food is essential for everyone to function and to lead a fulfilling life. North Fulton is blessed with plentiful sources of healthy food, with affordable and quality markets lining our streets. However, with the cost of living rising and a growing number of residents paying over 50% of their income for housing, it is no surprise that food requests are increasing at local food pantries.
Food requests are usually the first and most immediate request when a family reaches out for help.
Food insecurity refers to the lack of access to enough food to fully meet basic needs at all times due to lack of financial resources. Among the populations most impacted by food insecurity are children and seniors. According to the Atlanta Food Bank, 16.2% of Georgia residents are food insecure, with that number rising to 23.2% of children — almost 1 in 4.
People who are food insecure may compromise quality and/or quantity of food in order to meet other needs, such as housing, utilities, or transportation. In fact, the Community Assistance Center reports that 81% of the households they serve had to choose between food or transportation in the past year.
A philanthropic community, North Fulton is home to several generous food pantries. However, as our research demonstrates, the need for food assistance is greater than many would assume and is often difficult to identify. People who are seemingly secure — employed and housed — may be silently suffering from lack of access to adequate nutrition. It is imperative that those resources are able to identify and assist our residents living with food insecurity.
The food insecurity group works to address the root causes of chronic food insecurity and to connect the various organizations providing food relief with the populations most in need. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month. To share your perspective and get involved, please contact us through this link.
Check out our research and work: The 2019 Our Invisible Neighbors Report.
Co-Chairs
Laurie Walters
Wellstar
Tanya Morris
Senior Services of North Fulton
Fireside Chats
NFIN’s food insecurity group and guest speakers— Jon West of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Doris Pereira of the Community Assistance Center, and Mel Fortin of North Fulton Community Charities— convene for the 5th installment of the Fireside Chat series. Learn about the current state of food insecurity in North Fulton, metro Atlanta, and Georgia; shifts due to COVID and anticipated future trends; recent innovations to increase access to food; and ways the North Fulton community can come together to address food insecurity.
