More residents considered food insecure
Ten percent of Dutchess County residents and 8 percent in Putnam did not always have access to enough food in 2022, according to newly released data from Feeding America, a network of national food banks.
The federal government defines food insecurity as “the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life.” Dutchess had 29,700 food-insecure residents, including 6,620 children, in 2022, while Putnam County had 8,270, including 1,270 children. Both counties experienced increases from 2021.
A food security council proposed by Renee Fillette-Miccio, director of Dutchess Outreach, met for the first time on May 16 to advise policymakers and consider ways to reduce food waste. It includes representatives from county agencies, the United Way, Ten Mile Farm in Amenia and Vassar College.
“The charitable food system was never intended to provide long-term food support,” Fillette-Miccio said in a statement. “Yet here we are each week greeting more children, seniors and working people who cannot afford even one daily meal.”
Read our series Hunger in the Highlands
