Background of the Hunger in America Study

Hunger in America 2009 is the fifth national hunger study conducted by Feeding America and its member food banks.  In each of the studies conducted, we have exceeded the previous quadrennial study in scope, depth of analysis, and impact on our communities and national policy. 

The first study, the Second Harvest National Research Study 1993, was at that time the largest study ever conducted of the charitable response to hunger and emergency food assistance clients.  The 1993 study was conducted from January through March 1993 with 34 network food banks participating and providing information on 3,182 local agencies and personal interviews with 8,596 emergency food clients in 22 states.  The second study, Hunger 1997: The Faces & Facts, significantly surpassed the 1993 sample frame and continues to be cited as authoritative in the area of emergency food assistance research.  The 1997 study was conducted from January through March 1997 with 79 network food banks participating and providing information on 11,240 agencies and personal interviews with 27,771 emergency food clients in 38 states.  The third study, Hunger in America 2001, continued the pattern of involving more agencies and more clients resulting in over 32,000 face-to-face interviews and over 24,000 agency surveys completed.  Hunger in America 2006 was the fourth--and largest to date--in the series of nationwide studies of hunger that Feeding America has released.  The 2006 study amassed over 52,000 personal interviews and 31,000 agency surveys.

Hunger in America 2009

Hunger in America 2009 will survey both charitable hunger relief organizations across the country and their clients.  By surveying charitable hunger relief agencies across the United States, Feeding America and its food banks can analyze the capacity of the charitable food distribution system to meet the needs of hungry families and individuals.  Feeding America has unparalleled access to the millions of clients served by over 63,000 charitable feeding organizations through our network of more than 200 member food banks.

The client survey data will provide important and unparalleled demographic information about needy and hungry people in national and local representations.  Feeding America and its members will utilize this information to improve hunger relief activities, and build or refine food procurement and distribution programs to best reflect the needs of the millions of clients we serve each year.  Client surveys will also provide an opportunity to gain important client perspectives about access to federal and state assistance programs (such as food stamps, WIC and others).

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