Second Helping, Inc launched the collection of monthly proprietary hunger analytics data in November 2023 and published its first compilation of these data on December 1.
The hunger analytics include proprietary food insecurity indices that measure and quantify backward-looking and forward-looking sentiment and attitudes regarding access to healthy, affordable food.
The Second Helping Household Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index measures survey respondents’ sentiment regarding household access to healthy, affordable food during the past twelve (12) months.
The Second Helping Current vs. Pre-COVID-19 Pandemic Food Insecurity Index measures survey respondents’ sentiment regarding household access to healthy, affordable food now compared to before the covid pandemic (i.e. before 2020).
The Second Helping Household 12-Month Expectations Food Insecurity Index measures survey respondents’ expected household access to healthy, affordable food twelve (12) months from now.
The Second Helping Children’s Historical 12-Month Food Insecurity Index measures survey respondents’ sentiment regarding their children’s overall access to healthy, affordable food during the past twelve (12) months.
The data are collected through a confidential survey responded to by recipients of food assistance. A respondent’s participation or non-participation in the survey does not impact one’s ability to receive food from Second Helping, Inc.
Michelle Ediva, Director of Hunger Outreach Programs at Second Helping, Inc, believes the hunger analytics will provide valuable insights into prevailing food insecurity trends and realities.
“It is a privilege to be very active on the front lines in the fight against hunger. When we provide food directly to those who may need it most, it’s a great opportunity to hear directly from them and learn about their current attitudes regarding food insecurity. We are hopeful that our proprietary hunger analytics will yield useful insights for many stakeholders in the fight against hunger. While we are first launching these hunger analytics in mid-Michigan, our vision is to eventually expand into national data collection,” she said.
Second Helping, Inc.’s hunger analytics are published the first calendar day of every month and report survey data from the preceding month.
