Global Food Insecurity Worsens Amid Budget Cuts

Food insecurity is worsening worldwide, affecting both rural and urban communities as a result of federal and state budget cuts, rising living costs, and exclusionary government policies. In the United States, food banks in states such as Idaho, California, Texas, and Oregon are experiencing sharp declines in federal funding, leading to empty shelves and increased pressure as more people, including seniors and children, seek food assistance. Summer meal programs and school-based pantries have become essential for children who lose access to regular meals during school breaks, especially in economically disadvantaged areas. Internationally, countries like South Africa are also facing severe child food poverty despite overall food abundance, prompting urgent calls for legislative intervention. Community organizations and advocates are responding by pursuing new funding, partnerships, and policy reforms, such as Oregon's Food for All Oregonians bill aimed at expanding access for immigrant families. These efforts highlight that hunger is deeply tied to broader issues of community, systemic support, and dignity.