news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6198007.stm

One in 20 Latinos 'goes hungry'


One in 20 Latinos in the US regularly goes hungry and as many as one in five does not have proper access to nutritious food, a US report says.
Poverty and lack of awareness about state entitlements are the causes, says the study by Hispanic civil rights group the National Council of La Raza.

Immigrants also face a series of linguistic, legal and cultural obstacles in accessing enough food.

Latinos are the biggest single minority group in the United States.

The study said the "food insecurity" rate of Hispanics is nearly as high as that of non-Hispanic blacks.

www.nclr.org/content/news/detail/43414/

SIGNIFICANT FOOD INSECURITY IN LATINO COMMUNITY CAN BE STEMMED BY STRENGTHENING FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, NCLR REPORT SAYS

Washington, DC – Increasing access to healthier food and to federal nutrition assistance programs could help stem growing food insecurity in the Latino community, where nearly one in five people (19.6%) have limited or no access to nutritious food each year, according to a new report released today by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. The report, Sin Provecho: Latinos and Food Insecurity, was released at a news conference today at the Carlos Rosario International School.

“Lack of access to resources is forcing far too many Latino families into choices no one should have to make, such as between having a roof over their heads or putting food on the table. A lack of affordable, nutritious food also has devastating health consequences, such as increasing hunger and obesity, affecting not only the Latino community but the well-being of our entire nation,” stated Janet Murguía, NCLR President and CEO.

Among the report’s findings:

Healthy foods may be out of reach for many low-income and Latino communities. One study found that predominantly Hispanic communities had 38% less fresh fruit and vegetable retailers than areas with smaller Hispanic populations.

Many eligible Latinos are not participating in food assistance programs. Data suggest that more than three million eligible Hispanics are not participating in the Food Stamp Program. Lack of culturally- and linguistically-appropriate information and confusion about eligibility rules are common reasons why Latinos are not participating at higher levels.

If they don't like it, they can go back to Mexico. Calderon has put a cap (ALWAYS an effective policy!) on the price of tortillas (not sure about beans), so they can take their illegaly-earned dollars and go have a feast!