Food Insecurity Case Study

Introduction The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”1 Nearly 12% of people living in Virginia are considered food insecure, and these rates are even higher in the southeastern portion of the state. The cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth have food insecurity rates close to 19%.2 Many of these individuals are children, and the effects of childhood hunger are often detrimental on a child’s development. Their growth may be hindered, academics may suffer, and overall well-being may be compromised. 3 Another side effect from childhood hunger is one …show more content…
As a nonprofit organization, they rely heavily on the work of volunteers. In the Child Nutrition Department, volunteers mostly work to pack and deliver backpacks for the BackPack program. The department employs only 3 people, so they appreciate skilled volunteers when they become available, especially those with a nutrition background. The Child Nutrition Manager requested a nutrient analysis of the Kids Café meals and BackPack meals. She has asked that the BackPack handouts be redesigned to illustrate important nutrition principles for both the children and their parents. She has also asked for an allergen breakdown for all products in the warehouse so that she can have quick access to allergen information. One last overarching project will be attending “Healthy People, Healthy Suffolk,” a mobile pantry event in which a healthy recipe is demonstrated, and the ingredients for the recipe are distributed to those in need. All of these projects will be completed over the course of the practicum. Assistance will also be given in the office making phone calls, filing paperwork, proofreading, and completing any additional tasks required of the Child Nutrition Manager and Child Nutrition