A Research Profile of the Hungry in Forsyth County

I don't have any details on the exact location of malnourished people live in Forsyth County, but WFU researchers have found high rates of hunger among Latino immigrants in Forsyth County (much higher than the national average). These immigrants have jobs and are often ashamed to let others know they are having trouble getting enough food. Plus, they don't have access to food stamps because of their immigrant status.

In Forsyth, 15.8 percent of those surveyed reported children had had to go all day without food in the past year and 21.8 percent reported that children were hungry because they couldn't afford more food. And yet the researchers also found that only 12.9 percent of those in forsyth reported receiving food from a food pantry compared to 25 percent of those in eastern North Carolina.
The immigrants in the mountain counties are better off because of the year-round nature of the Christmas tree industry. More than 60 percent of survey participants both in eastern North Carolina and Forsyth participated in the school lunch program.
The rates of hunger and food insecurity were considerably above nationally collected statistics among the general population, among Hispanics alone, and other low-income populations.

"Compared with the rest of the world, the United States enjoys relative freedom from food insecurity and hunger," said WFU researcher Sara Quandt, PhD. "National data showed that 82.4 percent of U.S. households with children were food secure, 13.3 percent were food insecure without hunger and 4.3 percent reported hunger."
She added, "Policy makers need to reconsider access to food programs..."
To read more about this, see: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/523626/

There is a large community of Hispanics (about 600) that live just behind Forsyth Tech. There is also a large Hispanic population around NCSA and in Waughtown. I'm told there are many more areas where Hispanic immigrants live--does anyone know where these are?

According to the 2000 US census for Forsyth County, 11.2% of the population and 4.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.3% of those under the age of 18 and 7.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. These census figures do not include the Hispanic immigrants (who are afraid to be documented as aliens); so there are many others of different ethnic and racial origins who would likely benefit from a Zero Hunger program in our county.

From what's listed on Local Harvest.org, it seems that the food grown in our area is not near the areas where people are going hungry.

More demographic analysis needs to be made to determine how to adapt Brazil's plan to our county. We need to map out areas where access to healthy food is limited or non-existent. We need to determine what other difficulties stand in the way of healthy food: financial, education, inability to leave home (disabled, area not safe, etc.). This will help us more accurately address what needs to be done. WFU's Sara Quandt is currently working on research concerning the accessibility to fresh food in impoverished areas.

Research shows that many people who are malnourished in the U.S. have jobs, but can't afford to buy fresh food after they pay rent and utilities.

Questions/Things to Research:
--Does anyone know how find out where these immigrants are living and where others are living who are below the poverty line in our county?
--Find out how many of the women surveyed in our county know about and use the WIC program--about 40%.