Today, Feeding America released its new national Map, The Meal Gap numbers for 2022, which shows proof that high food prices are increasing food insecurity in America. Across the country, people struggling with hunger are saying they need to put aside more money than they have in the past twenty years just to put food on the table.

In Orange County, here is what that looks like:

• 1 in 8 children—and 1 in 10 individuals of any age— is food insecure. This is a concerning increase from the last year’s numbers (1 in 11 children and 1 in 12 individuals).
• Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County already serves an average of 400K people of all ages each month, and it is ready to keep the flow of fresh, nutritious food strong—no matter what.

Summer can be especially difficult for kids and families in need when students do not have access to school meals. That’s why Second Harvest partners with Meals on Wheels Orange County each year for its Kids Cafe program. This program fills the summer meal gap by providing FREE meals for ALL kids 18 years and younger at 46 sites across the county from June through August. Find locations at https://feedoc.org/need-food/#summer-meals.