Eva Wong, Abigail Schachter – Assessment, Policy Development, and Evaluation
Fel Pajimula, Elizabeth Kimball – Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention
While closing schools and businesses this past spring helped slow the spread of COVID-19, these strategies appear to have also negatively impacted peoples’ abilities to provide food for themselves and their families.
Food insecurity happens when households don’t have access to enough food. A new Public Health report shows a spike that started this spring in King County households not having enough food to eat. While the situation does not appear to be improving, there are new policies in place focused on increasing access to food, including a new local funding opportunity due on Tuesday, August 25th.
Food needs are increasing in King County
The following infographic highlights the key findings from the report.
Local funding opportunity
Local, state and federal policies have been put in place to increase food assistance to those who need it. In July, King County Council and Public Health established a food security assistance program with a special $4.8 million funding opportunity for organizations that can help distribute food and increase food infrastructure. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process, focusing on promoting access to culturally appropriate foods and prioritizing historically disadvantaged communities that have been disproportionately impacted by inequities and discrimination. Applications are due by August 25, 2020.
For more information and updated data on the economic, social and overall health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic in King County, view this data dashboard.
Originally posted August 18, 2020