A comprehensive report from Kansas Action for Children has shed light on a troubling trend sweeping across the state - a significant increase in food insecurity among children. With all 105 Kansas counties experiencing this concerning spike, the data underscores the urgent need for decisive action to address this critical issue and safeguard the well-being of the state's youngest residents.

Empowering Kansas Families to Overcome Food Insecurity

A Decade-High Surge in Child Food Insecurity

The report from Kansas Action for Children, a Topeka-based nonprofit, reveals that 2022 saw the highest spike in food insecurity among children in the past decade. This alarming trend was particularly pronounced in northeastern Kansas, where high food costs and limited access to adequate and nutritious sustenance have taken a heavy toll. The group attributes this nearly six percentage point increase from 2021 to the end of pandemic-era programs that had expanded eligibility for government assistance initiatives.The data paints a stark picture - one in five Kansas children experienced food insecurity in 2022, defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the "economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food." This crisis has far-reaching implications, as hunger is a direct byproduct of food insecurity.

Lessons Learned from the Pandemic: Safeguarding the Future

The report's authors warn that food insecurity will continue to rise unless Kansans heed the lessons learned during the pandemic. "In 2021, we saw how pandemic-era programs improved many outcomes for Kansas kids. But with those programs being temporary, so was much of that progress," said John Wilson, the president and chief executive officer of KAC.The report underscores the urgent need for decision-makers to take decisive action to support Kansas families. "And if leaders don't act soon, more Kansas families will suffer," Wilson cautioned.

Addressing the Multifaceted Challenges Facing Kansas Families

The report delves into a range of factors contributing to the crisis, painting a comprehensive picture of the challenges facing Kansas families. It found that reading proficiency among 8th graders was at its lowest in recent history, and 31% of Kansas children are falling behind in math. However, the report also noted a 10-year high in high school graduation rates.Enrollment in free or reduced-price lunch programs, a key indicator of food insecurity, saw a nearly three percentage point jump from 2021, reaching the highest level since 2017. Alarmingly, the number of Kansas children living in poverty was at a 10-year low in 2022, with 13% of children living below the federal poverty level, compared to 19% in 2012.Disparities in household income along racial lines were also highlighted, with Black households in Kansas earning nearly half as much as their white counterparts. The report further underscored the need for a living wage, noting that the current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour falls far short of the $15 per hour required for a family of four with two working adults to meet their basic needs.

Tackling the Housing Burden: A Multifaceted Approach

The report also sheds light on the growing burden of housing costs, a significant contributor to the food insecurity crisis. The number of families spending more than 30% of their income on housing costs spiked in 2022, with the number of children in these cost-burdened households increasing from an estimated 139,000 in 2021 to about 156,000 in 2022.To mitigate these burdens, the report advocates for a range of policy interventions, including lowering property taxes, offering property tax refunds, and implementing local inclusionary zoning and renter protection policies. By addressing the housing crisis, policymakers can help alleviate the financial strain on Kansas families, freeing up resources to ensure their children have access to adequate and nutritious food.