My name is Rachael Smith, and I’m a member of the Population Health team at Independence Blue Cross (IBX). We work with primary care providers to help ensure that their patients are getting appropriate preventive health care, and they are being connected to resources provided by IBX and on the city, state, and federal levels.
I’m a dietitian by training, and I’ve always had a passion for community nutrition, which encompasses nutrition education, reducing food insecurity, and preventing diseases caused and/or worsened by a poor diet.
Food insecurity happens when people don’t have enough food to eat and aren’t sure where their next meal will come from. Let’s explore how many people are currently affected, the consequences of this problem, why it happens, and what resources can help those in need.
The Scope of Food Insecurity
According to the non-profit group Feeding America:
- More than 47 million people in the U.S. face hunger, including one in five children.
- In 2023 alone, more than 50 million people turned to food assistance for extra help.
- People experience food insecurity in every community.
And food insecurity is more common in our region than many might think. The Philadelphia Tribune reports:
- Food insecurity in the Philadelphia area jumped from 13.6 percent to 21.2 percent between 2019 and 2022.
- More than 22 percent of Black Philadelphia households and 23 percent of Hispanic households experience food insecurity.
- 67 percent of area residents live below the threshold to qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
The Philadelphia Tribune quoted Loree Jones-Brown, CEO of Philabundance, as saying that “food insecurity in the region is the highest it’s been since the Great Recession in 2008.”
The Far-Reaching Impact of Food Insecurity
Food insecurity has serious health consequences, including:
It also has major economic consequences, including:
- Increased health care costs
- Reduced workforce productivity
- Diminished economic stability within communities
In children, it can affect concentration, academic achievement, and cognitive development, and it can cause behavioral issues as well.
In short, food insecurity takes a devastating toll on individuals, neighborhoods, and communities.
Factors Contributing to Food Insecurity
Income Inequality
There is a clear link between low income and food insecurity. When you have enough money to pay for food, housing, utilities, health care, and other fundamental expenses, you are in a much better position to put food on the table. Food insecurity has become more widespread as the gap between income levels has grown and food prices have gone up.
Food Deserts
When a neighborhood is situated far away from places where you can buy affordable and nutritious food, it’s known as a food desert. Food deserts can exist in both urban and rural communities. They can be directly linked to food insecurity. Areas with many low-income households, a large minority population, and limited options for transportation are more likely to be food deserts.
Stigma
Tragically, in our culture there’s a stigma around food insecurity. It can prevent people from accessing government assistance or food pantries out of fear that their community members will know they live in poverty and will judge them for it. There are many resources that can help, and there’s no shame in accepting that help.
Resources for People Experiencing Food Insecurity
Federal resources
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as “food stamps,” can help people with low incomes pay for food.
There are also federal food programs specifically for:
State resources
In addition to its own local SNAP program, Pennsylvania offers:
Local resources — Philadelphia County
Local resources — Other counties
Resources for IBX Medicare Advantage Members
IBX Medicare Advantage Members may qualify for home grocery deliveries from FareRx or home meal deliveries through MANNA depending on their health plans and health conditions.*
There are many other resources available to help make it possible for IBX Medicare Advantage members with a low income to afford food and other basic needs. There’s no shame in taking advantage of these resources. That’s what they’re for.
Food Insecurity Can and Should Be Eliminated
I hope this article will make it easier for food-insecure individuals to access the nutrition they need to stay healthy.
I also hope people who are not food insecure will better understand the phenomenon and do what they can to help — by supporting food distribution organizations through volunteering and/or financial contributions, and by advocating for more equitable conditions for everyone. Because directly or indirectly, food insecurity affects everyone. And food insecurity is a problem that can be solved.
*For select plans, the grocery and meal benefits mentioned are part of a special supplemental program for the chronically ill. Members must be diagnosed with diabetes, congestive heart failure, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, breast cancer, or other eligible conditions to qualify. Eligible conditions vary by benefit and plan. Eligibility for these benefits cannot be guaranteed based solely on your condition. All applicable eligibility requirements must be met before the benefit is provided. Contact us to confirm your eligibility for these benefits. The grocery benefit is provided by FareRx, an independent company. MANNA is an independent company that administers our meals program benefit.
Independence Blue Cross offers PPO, HMO-POS, and HMO Medicare Advantage plans with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Independence Blue Cross PPO, HMO-POS, and HMO Medicare Advantage plans depends on contract renewal.
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Website last updated 6/17/2025
