In Arizona, 963,130 people are currently experiencing food insecurity, including 293,950 children. As prices continue to rise, more families and individuals are being impacted and face a constant struggle to put food on the table.
While people experiencing food insecurity usually cannot afford to be choosy with the meals they secure, concern for one’s health increases when they’re able to acquire nutritious, healthy foods.
Access to nutritious and good-for-you foods, especially on a frequent basis, isn’t easy for food-insecure Arizonans. These individuals and families are often faced with the difficult task of choosing a non-nutritional meal for half of the cost of a “healthy” meal.
They don’t always have the option to be health-conscious about what they consume, and often adopt a poor-quality diet. Some are even faced with the difficult choice of paying their electrical or medical bills instead of buying groceries for the week.
As prices continue to rise due to inflation, the luxury of affording nutritional meals declines.
Increased grocery, gas, electrical, medical, schooling, transportation and other costs add to budget stress. Many individuals and families are just an accident or medical emergency away from struggling to put food on the table.
Without frequent access to nutritional foods, including whole grains, proteins, dairy, produce and healthy fats, food-insecure Arizonans are at a greater risk of developing chronic illnesses. According to the Arizona Food Bank Network, heart disease and stroke, obesity, cancer, osteoporosis and diabetes are all chronic conditions related to diet.
Not only does access to healthy, safe, nutritious food improve one’s physical health, it also plays a key role in one’s mental health. For children, hunger can also result in poor academic performance, increased health problems and developmental differences.
Food-insecure seniors also are at higher risk of mental and physical health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, anxiety and depression.
But there’s hope — many food banks and pantries have made providing nutritious, fresh food to those in need a priority. They offer resources and maps of where to find nutritional food and frequently share community outreach information about getting involved and supporting one’s neighbors. This includes hosting food drives, fundraisers, volunteering and donating monetary goods.
Despite the challenges posed by food insecurity, there is immense hope in the transformative power of nutritious food.
For children, access to healthy meals not only fuels their growth and learning but also inspires them to bring these habits home, encouraging their families to embrace healthier eating practices.
Similarly, for seniors, access to nutrient-rich foods tailored to their dietary needs fosters better health and energy, enabling them to remain active and engaged in their communities.
Together, these small but impactful steps create ripples of positive change, showing that nutritious food is more than sustenance — it’s a foundation for thriving households and connected communities.
Editor’s note: Chris Bodnar is director of Agency Network at Mesa-based United Food Bank. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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