Child Food Insecurity

Child Food Insecurity measures the number of people under age 18 in the St. Louis region who live in households receiving food stamp benefits, nationally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP is a federal government program that helps low-income individuals buy food. In 2016, there were approximately 69,352 children living in households receiving SNAP in the four counties studied. This indicates that 17% of the child population across the region is facing food insecurity.

Child Food Insecurity Indicator Scores

City of
St. Louis

17

St. Louis
County

11

St. Charles
County

12

St. Clair
County

4

Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016.

Data Note: PUMS data may differ slightly from estimates on American FactFinder due to differences in sampling. See PUMS technical documentation for more information. The number of sample cases is too small to report reliable estimates for additional racial groups.

What does this score mean?

A score of 100 represents racial equity, meaning there are no racial disparities in outcomes between black and white populations. The lower the Equity Score, the greater the disparity.

For Child Food Insecurity, a score of 100 — a score reflecting racial equity — would mean black and white children are equally likely to live in households that receive food stamps, a sign of food insecurity. It is important to note that for this indicator, equity is not our only goal; we also want to improve outcomes for all.

WHAT DOES THIS ANALYSIS MEAN?

Black children face a serious challenge in accessing food when compared to white children across the region. Black families are over seven times as likely as white families to receive food stamps. About 467 black children per 1,000 live in households receiving SNAP, whereas about 65 white children per 1,000 do.

If child food insecurity rates were equitable, there would be:

  • 8,275 fewer black children who need SNAP in the City of St. Louis
  • 1,299 fewer black children who need SNAP in St. Charles County,
  • 10,619 fewer black children who need SNAP in St. Clair County, and
  • 19,175 fewer black children who need SNAP in St. Louis County.

WHY DOES CHILD Food Insecurity MATTER?

Households that receive food assistance are low-income households that struggle with food insecurity, which has significant effects on child well-being. The Ferguson Commission’s report points out that food insecurity among babies and toddlers “correlates with increased susceptibility to infections, slowed cognitive development and physical growth, [and] increased susceptibility to chronic disease.” Among adolescents and young adults, food insecurity correlates with “reduced school performance, increased school dropout rates, and reduced productivity during adulthood.” In short, hunger affects not only health but also child behavior in school.

For a household to be eligible for food stamps, its collective household income (before taxes) must be under 130% of the federal poverty level, and the household cannot have more than $2,250 in assets ($3,250 if elderly or disabled). These restrictions discourage savings and prevent homeownership. This puts families in the position of having to choose between food security and other types of financial security.

    WHICH CALLS TO ACTION FROM THE FERGUSON COMMISSION’s REPORT ARE LINKED WITH THIS INDICATOR?

    One of the report’s priorities is ending childhood hunger because of the harmful effects hunger has on development and long-term success. The relevant calls to action include:

    Questions for Further Investigation:

    • Why is there a racial disparity in Child Food Insecurity?
    • What can St. Louis do to reduce racial disparities in Child Food Insecurity?
    • What initiatives are currently underway to reduce racial disparities in Child Food Insecurity?

    How can I learn more about this issue?

    The University of Missouri’s Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security publishes the Missouri Hunger Atlas on an annual basis. To learn more about the intersection of race, income, and food insecurity, the Missouri Coalition for the Environment has produced an infographic, which includes recommendations for the City of St. Louis and other relevant stakeholders.

    Child Food Insecurity Data

    Households with children under 18 who received SNAP benefits in the past 12 months

     AllBlackWhiteDisparity RatioEquity Score
    Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		12,2559,9601,084
    Children Under 18
    		30,77116,68110,713
    Share of Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		39.80%59.70%10.10%5.901 to 117

    Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

    Individuals under 18 who received SNAP benefits in the past 12 months

     AllBlackWhiteDisparity RatioEquity Score
    Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		33,35522,1325,676
    Children Under 18
    		221,39364,742124,278
    Share of Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		15.10%34.20%4.60%7.434 to 111

    Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

    Individuals under 18 who received SNAP benefits in the past 12 months

     AllBlackWhiteDisparity Ratio>Equity Score
    Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		8,6891,5134,330
    Children Under 18
    		93,6073,82377,205
    Share of Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		9.30%39.60%5.60%7.071 to 112

    Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

    Individuals under 18 who received SNAP benefits in the past 12 months

     AllBlackWhiteDisparity RatioEquity Score
    Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		15,05311,9101,896
    Children Under 18
    		62,40922,33032,799
    Share of Children Under 18 Who Receive SNAP
    		24.10%53.30%5.80%9.189 to 14

    Data Source: American Community Survey 1-year PUMS, 2016

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