Hunger pressures intensified at the end of the year
The Second Helping December 2023 Mid-Michigan Food Insecurity Indices were released today and they confirmed a deterioration in sentiment from respondents concerning hunger and food insecurity across mid-Michigan.
The Household Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index fell to 5.62 in December 2023 from 6.54 in November 2023, signifying the average mid-Michigan recipient of donated food assistance and survey respondent felt more than “Moderately Secure” regarding their household’s access to healthy, affordable food during the past twelve (12) months, but less secure than they did in November.
The Current vs. pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Food Insecurity Index weakened to 4.83 in December 2023 from 5.79 in November 2023, indicating the average mid-Michigan recipient of donated food assistance and survey respondent felt worse than “About the Same” regarding their household’s access to healthy, affordable food now compared to before the covid pandemic (i.e. before 2020), and less secure than they did in November.
The Household Twelve-Month Expectations Food Insecurity Index receded to 5.75 in December 2023from6.16 in November 2023, revealing the average mid-Michigan recipient of donated food assistance and survey respondent felt better than “About the Same” regarding their household’s expected access to healthy, affordable food twelve (12) months from now, but less secure than they did in November.
The Children’s Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index declined sharply to 5.42 in December 2023 from 7.20 in November 2023, confirming the average mid-Michigan recipient of donated food assistance and survey respondent felt more than “Moderately Satisfied” regarding their children’s overall access to healthy, affordable food during the past twelve (12) months, but less secure than they did in November.
The Second Helping January 2024 Mid-Michigan Food Insecurity Indices are scheduled to be released on February 1, 2024.