Food Insecurity Is Real: What It Looks Like, Who It Affects, and How We Can Help

By Jennifer Youngren, NDTR

Food insecurity is a quiet reality that touches far more people than most realize. It hides behind busy schedules, rising bills, and the daily act of trying to make ends meet. Many of the people who face it are working, caring for families, or living on fixed incomes. They are not defined by struggle, but by resilience.

In Suffolk County, as across the country, food insecurity is growing. The cost of rent, utilities, and basic groceries has climbed faster than wages, and programs like SNAP or HEAP do not always reach everyone who needs them. The recent government shutdown has made this even harder for many families, forcing them to choose between paying for food, heat, gas, or medication.

I have seen this reality from many sides, as a single parent, as someone who once relied on food assistance, and now as a nutrition professional who works closely with veterans and families facing limited budgets. I know how complex these choices are. Sometimes it is not about cooking the perfect meal, but about finding ways to stay nourished and keep going.

This guide was written to remind you that eating well is possible, even when resources are tight. It is also an invitation for those who are able to help to learn the facts, share resources, and take small actions that make a difference.

Food is not only fuel. It is connection, care, and community. Everyone deserves that.

Understanding the Numbers

Food insecurity affects millions, but statistics do not always tell the full story.

In New York State, about 14 percent of residents receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. In Suffolk County alone, more than 100,000 people rely on these benefits, and that number continues to rise as the cost of living goes up.

Across the country, about 39 percent of participants are children, and about 20 percent are older adults. Most households on assistance include at least one person who works. Hunger does not look the way people imagine it. It can be anyone. It can be a teacher, a nurse, a single parent, or a veteran trying to make their benefits stretch until the next month.

Food insecurity on Long Island is made worse by the high cost of housing, utilities, and transportation. Many households earn too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to cover their basic needs. It is called the missing middle. It represents thousands of families caught between poverty and sustainability.

Knowing these numbers matters because it reminds us that food insecurity is not a personal failure. It is a social one. Understanding the scope helps us talk honestly about solutions, both on an individual and community level.

The Reality Behind Hunger and Waste

Food insecurity is not just about having an empty refrigerator. It is about the impossible choices people make every day, between paying bills and buying food, keeping the lights on or filling the pantry, putting gas in the car or putting dinner on the table. These are choices no one should have to make, yet many families face them regularly.

Across the country, working people, parents, veterans, students, and older adults are struggling to meet basic needs. Medical conditions, medications, and special dietary requirements can make this even harder. The cost of food, insurance, and utilities continues to rise while wages often stay the same.

Meanwhile, enormous amounts of food go to waste. In the United States, roughly 30 to 40 percent of the food supply is discarded each year. Grocery stores, restaurants, and institutions often throw away perfectly good products because of labeling rules, storage limits, or liability concerns. It is usually cheaper and easier to throw food out than to donate it.

This is why local food shares and community pantries are so important. They bridge the gap between waste and need. Volunteers and small organizations work tirelessly to rescue food that would otherwise be lost and get it into the hands of those who need it most.

If you are someone who struggles to put food on the table, please know that you are not alone. There are people and programs ready to help, and there is no shame in seeking support.

If you are in a position to help, please do. Learn the facts about food insecurity in your community. Support food rescue programs. Volunteer your time, donate when you can, or advocate for fair policies that make nutritious food accessible for all.

Every act of awareness and generosity matters. Food should never be wasted while people go hungry. It is not a privilege. It is a human right.

Planning Smart on a Budget

Eating well on a budget is not about perfection. It is about strategy, creativity, and patience. These habits take time to build, but they make a real difference.

Plan before you shop

Write down your meals for the week, even if they are simple. Make a list before you go to the store and stick to it. Planning helps prevent impulse buys and food waste.

Buy in bulk when possible

Items like rice, beans, oats, frozen vegetables, and pasta cost less per serving when bought in larger packages. Store them properly and rotate items so nothing goes to waste.

Embrace frozen and canned foods

They are often just as nutritious as fresh and sometimes more affordable. Canned tomatoes, beans, and frozen vegetables can stretch any meal and reduce spoilage.

Build your pantry pillars

A few staple ingredients can create dozens of meals. Think grains, beans, eggs, peanut butter, onions, carrots, and seasonal produce. Keep oil, salt, and basic spices on hand.

Use your freezer wisely

Freeze leftovers and sauces in single portions. Label and date everything so you can use it easily.

Cook once, eat twice

Double recipes that store well like chili, lentil soup, or baked pasta. Freeze half or repurpose leftovers in wraps, grain bowls, or sandwiches.

Reduce waste

Reimagine ingredients that are about to expire. Overripe bananas become muffins, wilted greens become soup, and stale bread becomes breadcrumbs.

Compare prices and use store brands

Store brands are often made by the same companies as name brands and usually cost less.

Learn to make a few basics from scratch

One of the most helpful things you can do on a tight food budget is to learn how to make one or two foods you normally buy all the time. Bread, tortillas, granola, beans, and broth are all much cheaper to make at home than to purchase packaged. A single bag of flour can make several loaves of bread for the same cost as one loaf at the store. A one dollar bag of dry beans can feed you for days. You do not need to make everything from scratch to save money, but choosing one staple to learn can stretch your food dollars and give you more control over ingredients.

Visit your local food share or pantry

Many offer fresh produce, dairy, and proteins along with shelf stable goods. Ask questions and take what you need. Those programs exist for you.

Prioritize yourself

Do not skip meals to make food last longer. Nourishment is not a luxury. Eating regularly helps you think clearly and maintain strength.

Food, Heat, and Hard Choices

Right now, as government programs freeze and funding stalls, people are being asked to choose between feeding their families and heating their homes. This is not a new problem, but it becomes more urgent every winter.

Energy costs are high, and so are grocery prices. For those living on limited income, cutting corners often means cutting nutrition. It is an impossible choice, but there are ways to soften it.

Use energy efficient cooking methods like a slow cooker or one pot meals. Cook double portions and reheat instead of cooking from scratch each day. Batch cook grains or beans and reuse ingredients across multiple recipes.

If you need help with utilities, reach out to local agencies, churches, and community centers. Programs like HEAP will return, but until then, community support is everything. We keep each other warm.

Mindset and Moving Forward

Eating on a budget is not just a skill. It is an act of resilience. It requires creativity, planning, and compassion for yourself.

You may feel guilt or shame, but please remember this. Food insecurity is not a personal failure. It is the result of systems that often forget the people they are meant to serve.

Your worth is not measured by what is in your refrigerator. You are allowed to eat. You are allowed to ask for help. You are allowed to feel joy in your meals.

If you can, share this message. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Use your story to create awareness. When you tell the truth about hunger, you give others permission to speak too.

Food should never be a privilege. It should be a given.

And until it is, we keep showing up for each other, one meal, one bag of groceries, one act of kindness at a time.

Join the Conversation

If you have ever faced food insecurity, or if you have found creative ways to make nourishing meals on a tight budget, I would love to hear from you. Share your experiences, recipes, or local resources in the comments.

Your story might help someone else feel less alone, and your ideas could make someone’s next meal possible.

Whether you need support or you have the ability to give, you belong in this conversation. No one should have to struggle in silence, and no one should ever feel ashamed for needing help. Food is a right. Every person deserves access to nourishment, dignity, and community.