New food pantry opens as Missouri experiences increased food insecurity
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri is one of eight states that experiences food insecurity more than the national average, according to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Food Bank of Central & Northeast Missouri's new food pantry, the Food Bank Market opens to the public on Wednesday and aims to help with food insecurity by offering nutrition education, cooking lessons and help with Medicare and health insurance questions. Compass Health Network is partnering with the food bank to offer preventative and primary care services in the same space.
The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri serves 32 counties across Missouri, and Lindsay Lopez, president and CEO of The Food Bank, estimates the nonprofit serves as many as 10,000 people each month.
"At a time when grocery costs are increasing and our neighbors are finding it even more challenging to fill their plates, The Market will provide a space where our community can access food and other much-needed resources that can help them get what they need in the moment and build toward food security," Lopez said.
The USDA report on food insecurity illustrates why something like this is necessary. Across the country, 3.3 million households with children experienced food insecurity in 2022, according to the report. That's a 6.2% increase from 2021. Eight states experienced food insecurity on a higher level: Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.
USDA defines food insecurity as, "the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways."
The new market is at 705 Business Loop 70 and replaces the one on Big Bear Boulevard. Tuesday is the last day to donate to the Food Bank Market before it opens Wednesday. Missouri Employers Mutual is matching donations up to $25,000.
