1 in 8 Kids in Queens Live With Food Insecurity

While food insecurity may not be as volatile an issue as homelessness is in the city right now, it still affects a large number of people and is often connected.

Many of food pantry and soup kitchen are finding more people needing their help while over half of them are suffering from combined cuts in government and private resources, according to a study by New York City's Coalition Against Hunger (NYCCAH). (Check graphic above).

"Low-income New Yorkers are facing one of the toughest winters ever this year, and it’s not because of the weather. Far too many New Yorkers will have to make the difficult decision between buying groceries or covering basic living expenses," wrote Joel Berg, executive director of NYCCAH.

In addition, over half of the places surveyed said they've been feeding more people than before partly because of continued effects of Hurricane Sandy.

It also shows that children are the most affected by food insecurity or the lack of access to enough food for a healthy life. (Check graphic above).

Citywide, one in five children, nearly half a million, lived with food insecurity between 2010-12 according to the most recent numbers. That's a 10 percent increase from 2006-08.

Check out New York City Coalition Against Hunger to find a food program in your area.

How To Use the Interactive

Pantry and Kitchen Needs and Demands
Hover over a specific column and the percentage will pop up of how many agencies experienced a certain type of demand or need.

Percent Living In Food Insecure Households
Compares the percentage of households living with food insecurity according to compared between two time frames. Press the buttons on the top left hand to switch between boroughs.   

There was not enough federal food insecurity data for Staten Island to adequately calculate a borough-specific food insecurity rate for it. That is why it was not include in this specific graphic.