Extension Brown County Issues USDA Food Security Survey Results

BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) — Seventy-seven percent of households surveyed at food pantries across Brown County are considered food insecure, according to a survey recently completed by UW-Madison Extension Brown County in the fall of 2022 using United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Security Survey questions.

Ninety percent of individuals surveyed indicated one or more challenges obtaining food. When asked what would make it easier for them and their household to obtain food, affordable food and affordable utilities were the most common response.

The UW-Madison Division of Extension Brown County partnered with seven Brown County food pantries to conduct this survey to develop a deeper understanding of why community members may not be able to access the food they need resulting in food insecurity.

Clarice Martell, FoodWIse Healthy Community Coordinator, says food insecurity can be caused by many factors.

“Poverty, unemployment, low income, lack of affordable housing, chronic health conditions, lack of access to healthcare…” said Martell.  “All these factors are really interconnected.”

Key findings from the survey include:

• 77% of households surveyed at food pantries were considered food insecure – That means they were unable at some time during the year to provide adequate food for one or more household members because of a lack of resources.
• 90% of the individuals surveyed at food pantries indicated one or more challenges obtaining food – When asked what would make it easier to obtain food, 58% said the cost of food which reflects inflation. The second most common response affordable utilities at 44%.
• 83% of respondents regularly use grocery stores to obtain food.
• 81% of respondents regularly use food assistance. Food assistance includes food pantries, free meal sites, summer meal sites, etc.

This project, which surveyed 383 households totaling 1,140 individuals, contributes to the Brown County Health Improvement Plan and University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Brown County FoodWIse programming efforts.