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 is food insecure, that is, not always having enough nutritious food to eat for healthy development.**
- An average of 60 percent of food-insecure children 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 food-insecure children in our 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 struggles with food insecurity and hunger.
- Of Tarrant County food-insecure children, almost two-thirds are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, WIC and other federal nutrition assistance.
- More than one-third of food-insecure children 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) suffers from food insecurity or outright hunger. This is the fifth highest rate of hunger in the nation among children.
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