Food hardship is not a new dilemma to Americans. Each year, people across the country struggle to afford enough food, and according to a Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) report released this month, food hardship rates are increasing.
 Although many rural Americans grow the majority of our food supply, they are widely affected by hunger. Hunger is detrimental to the health and well-being of all food insecure people, but living in a rural area can make living with hunger even worse.
 For many children, summer means days at the pool and quality time spent with their families. However, for some children, summer is associated with hunger. With no school for several weeks, many students will be left wondering where their next meal will come from.
 Food-insecurity and hunger affect far too many Arizonans, including some of our population’s most vulnerable: senior citizens. 46 million people in the U.S. are over the age of 65. Of that 46 million, 2.8 million seniors live in food-insecure households, and an additional 1.2 million seniors who live alone are also food-insecure. Arizona is home to 1.1 million seniors. 15.4 percent of those seniors are food-insecure. Although there are programs and organizations working to aide these community members, a lack of knowledge and stigmas surrounding food assistance are inhibiting true progress.
 Hunger is an issue that almost 800 million people in the world face every day. In Arizona alone, there are over 1 million people who are food insecure. The United Nations started a program to globally combat these devastating food security and malnutrition problems.  In the new year, the United States legislature will introduce the 2018 Farm Bill. Here is some information on what the new bill will contain and how it will impact you if it’s passed. September is Hunger Action Month, an opportunity to spread the word, take action on the hunger crisis, and dedicate ourselves to a solution. Join the #HungerActionMonth conversation all month long, and watch our video below for more ways you can make a difference.  Each year, the beginning of summer marks the beginning of fun, friends and a welcomed break for school children across the state. But for many Arizona students, this time of year also marks the end of daily, nutritious, and reliable meals.
Nearly half a million students in the state rely on free or reduced school lunches during the school year, according to the most recent Food Research & Action Center report. For many students, these guaranteed meals may be the only source of nutritious food they can count on each day. The school cafeteria doors may be closed for the summer, but hunger doesn’t go on vacation. March is wrapping up, which also means the end of National Nutrition Month. Put your best fork forward all year long with all of the tips and resources we covered throughout the month!
This month, we talked about how what we put on our plate nurtures us, as well as the importance of connecting with one another over a nutritious meal. Eating meals together builds bonds, and with a concentration on nutrition, can be a foundation for a lifetime commitment to healthy eating. Read this blog to learn more about how to imbue your children and teens with healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Reference these tips on how to shop for nutritious food without breaking the bank, and check out these ideas for boosting your wellness in the beautiful Arizona outdoors. We also discussed the link between eating breakfast and the academic success of elementary school children for National School Breakfast Week. Visit our blog to revisit all of our discussions about the role nutrition plays in the health of our families and communities. Also, look for information about how SNAP-participating families can get more fresh food for less at local farmers markets on our Double Up Food Bucks Arizona blog. To help make every month Nutrition Month, take a look at some of our infographics that provide more tips on nutritious foods abundant in the spring, nutritious seeds, building strong bones, and more. Not only are they informative, but also easy to share with your family, friends, and communities!  When family budgets tighten, healthier foods are sometimes swapped for cheaper, less nutritious foods. The price tags at health-food stores may seem daunting, but eating well doesn’t need to depend on your ability to purchase pricey, trendy ingredients, and it certainly doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are three ways to keep your diet balanced and healthy while on a budget
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