• About the Study
  • Introduction
    • Objectives
    • Network Overview
    • Groups & Organizations
    • Report Overview
  • Sponsor Statement
  • Service Area Map
  • Download the Reports
  • Appendices
• Methodology
• Key Findings
• Who We Serve
• How We Serve
• Local Picture
• Snapshot Comparisons
• Media Center

Objectives (2.1)

The Hunger in America 2006 study comprises a national survey of A2H emergency food providers and their clients.  The study had the following primary objectives:

• To describe the national demographic characteristics, income levels, food stamp utilization, food security status, and service needs of low-income clients who access emergency food assistance from the A2H network at the national level
• To describe the demographic profiles of clients of local agencies and to examine the ability of local agencies to meet the food security needs of their clients
• To compare data, where possible, between the 2001 and 2005 A2H research studies, to identify trends in emergency food assistance demands, and to relate observed trends to welfare policies
• To compare local-level and national-level data on the characteristics of agencies in describing the charitable response to hunger throughout the nation

The Hunger in America 2006 study was designed to provide a comprehensive profile of the extent and nature of hunger and food insecurity as experienced by people who access A2H’s national network of charitable feeding agencies.  Information was collected on clients’ sociodemographic characteristics, including income and employment, benefits from food stamp and other federal or private programs, frequency of visits to emergency feeding sites, and satisfaction with local access to emergency food assistance.  Information obtained from provider agencies included size of programs, services provided, sources of food, and adequacy of food supplies.