Introduction to senior hunger special issue

Abstract

Over 5 million persons aged 60 and older are food insecure in the United States. Previous research has uncovered information about the causes and consequences of food insecurity, but, especially in comparison to households with children, research on food insecurity among seniors has been sparse. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA, FNS) funded a series of studies in this research area. In this introduction, we describe how food insecurity is measured and trends in food insecurity among seniors followed by an overview of the eight funded projects.

Understanding SNAP use patterns among older adults

“…Food insecurity among older adults has increased in recent decades (Ziliak & Gundersen, 2020a). In 2018, near the height of the pre‐coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) economic boom, Ziliak and Gundersen (2020a) estimated that over 7% of US adults aged 60 years and older were food insecure.…”

“…Food insecurity among older adults has increased in recent decades (Ziliak & Gundersen, 2020a). In 2018, near the height of the pre‐coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) economic boom, Ziliak and Gundersen (2020a) estimated that over 7% of US adults aged 60 years and older were food insecure. Food insecurity is more likely among younger cohorts of older adults than older cohorts (Gundersen & Ziliak, 2008; Ziliak & Gundersen, 2016, 2020a), with food insecurity rates among adults aged 60–64 years more than twice as high as adults aged 80 years and older (Ziliak & Gundersen, 2020a).…”

“…In 2018, near the height of the pre‐coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) economic boom, Ziliak and Gundersen (2020a) estimated that over 7% of US adults aged 60 years and older were food insecure. Food insecurity is more likely among younger cohorts of older adults than older cohorts (Gundersen & Ziliak, 2008; Ziliak & Gundersen, 2016, 2020a), with food insecurity rates among adults aged 60–64 years more than twice as high as adults aged 80 years and older (Ziliak & Gundersen, 2020a). Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the primary food assistance program in the United States (Cunnyngham, 2018; Fox, 2020), has increased among eligible older adults since 2010.…”

Does Social Security promote food security? Evidence for older households

“…An estimated 6%–9% of older Americans are living in food‐insecure households, depending on the data used, the lower‐bound age specified, the reference period, and the time frame in question (Brostow et al, 2017; Brucker & Coleman‐Jensen, 2017; Goldberg & Mawn, 2014; Kregg‐Byers, 2014; Ziliak & Gundersen, 2020). Rates of food insecurity are higher for subpopulations of older adults, including those with lower levels of household income.…”

“…Rates of food insecurity are higher for subpopulations of older adults, including those with lower levels of household income. For example, 39% of adults aged 60 and older who live in households with incomes below or at the poverty line, and 30% of seniors with incomes between 100% and 200% of the poverty line live in food‐insecure households (Ziliak & Gundersen, 2020). In the United States, older adults may have access to monthly public retirement income benefits (i.e., Social Security benefits) which may increase household income levels and make food more affordable for older households.…”