Feeding Florida is changing how hunger is measured and identified. This revolutionary work is allowing us to pinpoint missing meals at hyper-local levels across the state. The result of our new Meal Deficit Metric (MDM) translates into a more accurate, granular understanding of real hunger, which then allows for a more strategic investment in addressing it.
Previously, hunger data has been limited to zip code or county. Our study, conducted by Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group, reveals missing meals and key demographic data at the block group and census track level.
This innovative research was able to identify the number of missing meals was 16,936,154 pre-COVID. At the height of the pandemic, the number of missing meals resulting from ONLY the employment disruption of COVID-19 in Florida was 2,723,532. Now in 2021, we are able to see the longer lasting effects, with the missing meal count increasing by 17% to a state average of 19,808,725 meals per week.
While traditional countywide data has served an important purpose for food bank networks over the decades, this unprecedented research means that we can utilize resources to target hunger needs more effectively in our local communities.
To see how we’re leading the charge, dig into the data.
