(STACKER) — Food insecurity is considered a widespread problem in the United States. The nonprofit Feeding America describes food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has put more pressure on families already experiencing food hardship, including households in Virginia. In addition, racial disparities in food insecurity — an issue in many U.S. communities before the pandemic — have continued to plague minority households.
Food insecurity hits children particularly hard. Not having consistent access to enough food can affect a child’s overall physical health, and can potentially lead to psychological damage as well.
Read on to see which 15 counties and cities in Virginia have the highest rate of food-insecure children.
#15. Grayson County
– Child food insecurity rate: 21.8%
— Number of food-insecure children: 580
– Overall food insecurity rate: 14.5%
#14. Richmond city
– Child food insecurity rate: 22.7%
— Number of food-insecure children: 9,060
– Overall food insecurity rate: 13.9%
#13. Wise County
– Child food insecurity rate: 22.9%
— Number of food-insecure children: 1,710
– Overall food insecurity rate: 18.2%
#12. Charlotte County
– Child food insecurity rate: 23.4%
— Number of food-insecure children: 620
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.3%
#11. Bristol city
– Child food insecurity rate: 23.8%
— Number of food-insecure children: 860
– Overall food insecurity rate: 17.7%
#10. Brunswick County
– Child food insecurity rate: 24.2%
— Number of food-insecure children: 670
– Overall food insecurity rate: 12.6%
#9. Martinsville city
– Child food insecurity rate: 25.1%
— Number of food-insecure children: 780
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.0%
#8. Danville city
– Child food insecurity rate: 25.1%
— Number of food-insecure children: 2,250
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.2%
#7. Hopewell city
– Child food insecurity rate: 25.2%
— Number of food-insecure children: 1,450
– Overall food insecurity rate: 15.8%
#6. Lee County
– Child food insecurity rate: 25.4%
— Number of food-insecure children: 1,120
– Overall food insecurity rate: 19.0%
#5. Dickenson County
– Child food insecurity rate: 25.7%
— Number of food-insecure children: 740
– Overall food insecurity rate: 19.5%
#4. Norton city
– Child food insecurity rate: 26.1%
— Number of food-insecure children: 250
– Overall food insecurity rate: 19.8%
#3. Emporia city
– Child food insecurity rate: 27.6%
— Number of food-insecure children: 430
– Percentage of children in households with income below 185% FPL: 54.0%
– Percentage of children in households with income above 185% FPL: 46.0%
– Overall food insecurity rate: 16.6%
#2. Buchanan County
– Child food insecurity rate: 28.2%
— Number of food-insecure children: 1,110
– Overall food insecurity rate: 20.3%
#1. Petersburg city
– Child food insecurity rate: 28.3%
— Number of food-insecure children: 1,900
– Overall food insecurity rate: 16.1%
METHODOLOGY
This list was compiled using data from Feeding America. Counties and cities are ranked by the highest percentage of children with food insecurity as of 2019.
