America’s food crisis is worsening and deepening every minute. And, the COVID-19 pandemic is only speeding the process. So much that thousands of US military officers, especially those in the lower ranks are facing the brunt of the issue.
America’s gigantic food crisis
According to an AP report, about 160,000 active-duty members of the US military are struggling to feed their families. It also quotes data from Feeding America, a non-profit organization based in the US. Feeding America with over 200 food banks, is feeding over 46 million in the US. The NGO when compiling numbers for examining the long-term food insecurity found it deep-rooted into American life. Additionally, according to the US Department of Agriculture, more than 89 percent of American households were food insecure throughout last year. The rest 10.5 percent of American households faced problems for shorter periods in 2020. This includes 5.1 million households with low food security.
However, the US government does not have data on food insecurity among the military. Feeding America‘s report is the first one to acknowledge the crisis. According to activists, the crisis has been present among junior members with children for several years. According to the NGO’s report, about 29 percent of troops in the junior ranks faced food insecurity in 2020. “It’s a shocking truth that’s known to many food banks across the United States. This should be the cause of deep embarrassment,” said Vince Hall. Hall is the government relations officer with Feeding America.
US military officials not spared by the food crisis
“It is what it is. It is what it is,” said James Bohannon. The 34-year-old is a low-ranking Navy officer in San Diego. Acknowledging the fact that he is relying on food assistance to feed his two daughters, he admitted that “I’m not going to lie. It is tough”. Additionally, Meredith Knopp, an Army veteran, and CEO of a food bank in St. Louis added that the problem is occurring across all of the military’s branches. She was once approached by a new private who had a child. “They were getting ready to turn off his electricity because he couldn’t pay his bills. It was shocking to me,” she said.
Moreover, experts think there are many reasons behind food insecurity among US military officials. Other factors include modest pay and the internal military culture. The low pay structure of junior officers getting enlisted in the ranks is the primary source of the problem. Additionally, the military culture of self-sufficiency is making people reluctant from speaking out about their problems. People fear that they come across as irresponsible if they are not self-sufficient.