Greater optimism regarding year ahead a bright spot
The Second Helping February 2024 Mid-Michigan Food Insecurity Indices were released today and they showed mixed sentiment from respondents regarding hunger and food insecurity across mid-Michigan.
The Household Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index fell to 6.10 in February 2024 from 6.31 in January 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 January.
The Current vs. pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Food Insecurity Index weakened to 5.85 in February 2024 from 6.03 in January 2024, indicating the average mid-Michigan recipient of donated food assistance and survey respondent felt somewhat 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 January.
The Household Twelve-Month Expectations Food Insecurity Index improved to 6.33 in February 2024 from6.09 in January 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, and more secure than they did in January.
The Children’s Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index gained ground to 6.49 in February 2024 from 6.16 in January 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, and more secure than they did in January. The Second Helping March 2024 Mid-Michigan Food Insecurity Indices are scheduled to be released on April 1, 2024.