A review of food insecurity in the United States through the lens of a local, Philadelphia, community food program, "Kids Bites Mobile Pantry"
(Book - Regular Print)

Includes bibliographical references.

Food insecurity is more than hunger. It refers a host of physiological and mental symptoms arising out of the lack of physical, social, or economic access to adequate quantities of safe and nutritious food for a healthy life. Poverty and unemployment are the most common characteristics of a food insecure population. In the United States, there are many national supplemental programs and non-profit organizations dedicated to improving food insecurity. However, some of the most innovative and creative work to combat this problem is occurring at the local level. This paper provides an overview of the national scope of food insecurity and the primary intervention programs working to provide relief and food assistance to low-income Americans. It also focuses on the scope and interventions in one large urban area -- the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area. Philadelphia and its surrounding counties employ some unique strategies, and house several dedicated organizations working to solve the food insecurity problem. These organizations are approaching food insecurity from an integrated systems perspective incorporating short-term relief, advocacy, urban planning, and policy changes. Lastly, this paper evaluates one unique Philadelphia area program, Kids Bites Mobile Pantry, operated by Philabundance, the Philadelphia area's largest hungry relief organization. Through a review of program design and direct client feedback, this project examines the affect of Kids Bites Mobile Pantry on family food security, and identifies program changes that could expand utilization, and positive outcomes for more Philadelphia area families.