CHILD HUNGER STATISTICS*
- In the 13 counties Tarrant Area Food Bank serves, an average of 1 in 4 children (24.7 percent) under age 18 lives in a food-insecure household. The household does not always have enough nutritious food to eat for a child's healthy development or for an adult's active life of employment and family responsibilities.**
- An average of 60 percent of children living in food-insecure households in our service region are eligible for assistance from federal nutrition programs like free or reduced-price school meals and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
- An average of 40 percent of children in food-insecure households in our 13-county service region are NOT eligible for federal assistance programs due to the income of their households that struggle to access sufficient nutrition.
- In Tarrant County, while 1 in 6 of all residents (17.1 percent) do not always have enough food for a healthy, active life, 1 in 4 children lives in a food-insecure household.
- Of Tarrant County children living in food-insecure households, almost two-thirds are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, WIC and other federal nutrition assistance.
- More than one-third of children living in food-insecure households in Tarrant County are NOT eligible for federal nutrition assistance programs because of their household's income.
- In Texas, 1 in 3.5 children (28.2 percent) lives in a food-insecure household and may suffer from food insecurity or outright hunger. This is the fifth highest rate of food-insecurity and/or hunger in the nation among children. The 1.8 million Texas children living in food-insecure households is the second highest number among all 50 states.
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