Food Insecurity
Food insecurity defined by the USDA (2016), is a state where a deficiency of money and resources hinder the access to sufficient food. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (2016) further defines food insecurity as low or very low:
· Low food security (old label=Food insecurity without hunger): reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake.
· Very low food security (old label=Food insecurity with hunger): Reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake (para. 3).
Cabarrus County Food Insecurity
Cabarrus County Food Insecurity
Food insecurity in Cabarrus County is a contributor to chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes as identified in the State of the County Health Report since 2011.

"Not my turn to eat last night"
In Cabarrus County teachers have reported children with excessive sleepiness in class, behavioral and learning issues, licking their lunch trays clean and reporting to teachers that “it was not their turn to eat at home” the night before coming to school.
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Effect of a weekend food insecurity: Children without adequate nutrition over weekends and holidays demonstrate a decreased ability to learn and retain information.
Free and Reduced Meals are an indicator of Food Insecurity:
2013= 39.43%
2014= 42.13%
2015= 42.70%
2016= Not available
2017= 39.78%
Cabarrus County School Nutrition Program Free and Reduced Meals
Annual average for all county schools.
Backpack Weekly and Annual Cost
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Weekly cost per child for a weekend backpack of food is $2.50 to $3.
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Annual cost per child is $250
