The Agricultural Department's Economic Research Service released its annual report on Household Food Security in the U.S. on Monday, showing an increase in the number of Americans going hungry.
According to the report, in 2008, 17 million households, or 14.6 percent, were food insecure and had difficulty putting enough food on the table at times during the year. This represented an increase from 13 million households, or 11.1 percent, in 2007.
The report further showed that one third of food insecure households had very low food security, meaning that the food intake of some household members was reduced and their eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year.
This represented about 5.7 percent of all U.S. households, or 6.7 million. Again, this was an increase from 2007, which showed 5.7 million households with low food security.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said, "The Obama Administration has put in place unprecedented measures to promote job creation and combat hunger in our Nation, a problem that the American sense of fairness should not tolerate and American ingenuity can overcome."
"The Department of Agriculture's nutrition assistance programs provide a safety net that improves food access to those with critical needs, but addressing the root of hunger requires a broader strategy," he added.
In terms of what causes the increase, the report said that the fundamental cause of food insecurity and hunger in the U.S. is poverty.
"As the Obama Administration works to foster a robust recovery for all, it's important to recognize that we have another opportunity to improve the health and nutrition of our children when Congress begins to debate the Child Nutrition Reauthorization," Vilsack said.
He added, "It is vital that we make it easier for families and administrators to bring eligible children into the program and to eliminate gap periods when children struggle to find the nutrition assistance they need - at breakfast, during summer, and in after-school settings."
Upon hearing of the report, President Barack Obama said his administration is "committed to reversing the trend of rising hunger."
"The first task is to restore job growth, which will help relieve the economic pressures that make it difficult for parents to put a square meal on the table each day," Obama said. "But we are also taking targeted steps to prevent Americans from experiencing hunger."
He added, "Earlier this year, we extended help to those hit hardest by this economic downturn by boosting SNAP benefits. And Secretary Vilsack is working hard to make sure eligible families are able to access those benefits as well as the School Lunch and Breakfast Program. In addition, a bill I signed into law last month invests $85 million in new strategies to prevent children from experiencing hunger in the summer."
Obama called hunger "a problem that we can solve together," and said he looks forward to "working with Congress to pass a strong child nutrition bill that will help children get the healthy meals they need to grow and succeed."
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