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COVID-19 Pandemic Causing Urgent Food Security Challenge in the State

Tuesday, March 31st, 2020 -- 9:02 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -The COVID-19 public health emergency is creating an urgent food security challenge for households and communities in Wisconsin.

That's according to Judi Bartfeld, University of Wisconsin-Madison Food Security Research and Policy Specialist, who said one in eleven households in the state were food insecure before the crisis even began--meaning they did not have assured access to the food they needed. Food security depends on financial security, and COVID-19 has dealt a major blow to household income. She says when money runs short, households often have to choose between paying for food or paying for rent, utilities, and other essentials.

Food security also depends on federal food and nutrition programs like FoodShare, school meals, WIC, and senior meal programs. Almost half of public school students in Wisconsin were approved to eat free or reduced price school meals even before the pandemic. With the statewide school closures, districts have had to develop new delivery methods just as need is escalating.

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