A new federal study ranks Ohio among the worst states in the nation for families on the brink of hunger. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Ohio has the highest food insecurity rate in the Midwest and sixth highest nationally. Food insecurity is defined by the amount of families struggling to make it from one meal to the next.
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks says this study, among other things, proves the state needs more jobs that pay a living wage.
“Jobs that have returned to the state of Ohio are poverty-level jobs, they’re part-time, temporary or contingent jobs. These are Ohioans that work every day and play by the rules but are not earning enough—again—to meet their most basic needs,” says Hamler-Fugitt.
Hamler-Fugitt says the state should embrace policies that strengthen food stamps and other assistance programs.
