LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Food insecurity in Nebraska households is higher than the national average, according to a survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The data showed that more than 12% of Nebraskans experienced food insecurity from 2020 to 2022.
That’s higher than all neighboring states except Missouri.
Michaella Kumke, CEO of the Food Bank of Lincoln, said despite Nebraska’s low unemployment rate, many people aren’t making enough money to meet basic needs like housing, health care and food.
“It does surprise me that Nebraska has a higher food insecurity rate because when I think about our state, I think about the generosity of people,” she said.
Kumke said the problem has a lot to do with federal funding that’s been “left on the table” by the state.
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Eric Savaiano, manager of the food and nutrition access program at Nebraska Appleseed, said while the pandemic and inflation contributed to food insecurity, more could’ve been done.
“Over the pandemic, there were some emergency food assistance programs that were of no cost to the state that we decided to end with the end of our state emergency declaration,” he said. “We would love to have seen those continue for the two years that other states received them.”
Savaiano and Kumke said the Nebraska Legislature should focus more on food security and expanding benefits like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Kumke says she recently met with a state senator who toured the food bank and discussed with her how to better address hunger with those types of programs.
“The Nebraska way is to not rely on those things, but at the same time we both agree that it didn’t make sense that we were not making the most of those funds that are available to do the most good for our neighbors,” she said. “I think that’s why we’re seeing some of the hardship in our state.”
Kumke said the federal farm bill would also expand those benefits, but it’s been pushed back.
“I think it’s reasonable that we look for solutions,” she said. “They won’t be easy, but not addressing them or shoving them off to blame (political) parties, will not feed people.”
She said conversations like the one she had with the senator are an important first step.
“It did leave me feeling hopeful that it’s time,” Kumke said. “It is time for policymakers and leaders and the public, as part of a democracy, to rally around these opportunities for the good of our neighbors.”