Overall trend remains positive, but less clear
The Second Helping April 2024 Mid-Michigan Food Insecurity Indices were released today and they evidenced moderating positive sentiment from respondents regarding hunger and food insecurity across mid-Michigan.
The Household Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index receded to 5.98 in April 2024 from 6.31 in March 2024, 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 March.
The Current vs. pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Food Insecurity Index slowed to 5.72 in April 2024 from 6.22 in March 2024, indicating the average mid-Michigan recipient of donated food assistance and survey respondent felt better than “About the Same” regarding their household’s access to healthy, affordable food now compared to before the covid pandemic (i.e. before 2020), but less secure than they did in March.
The Household Twelve-Month Expectations Food Insecurity Index came off to 5.87 in April 2024 from6.25 in March 2024, 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 March.
The Children’s Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index moved lower to 6.00 in April 2024 from 6.79 in March 2024, 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 March.
The Second Helping May 2024 Mid-Michigan Food Insecurity Indices are scheduled to be released on June 1, 2024.