Tackling Hunger Among Veterans and Military Families: A Mission to End Food Insecurity
Photo: George Pagan III
Veterans and military families exemplify resilience, adapting to challenges with strength and determination. Yet they often face challenges that many outside the community fail to see. One challenge is food insecurity - a pervasive issue that is often unnoticed due to a civ-mil divide (that’s the civilian-military communities). This divide often means that civilians, like me, may not see the whole picture, they might not grasp all of the struggles faced by those who serve or have served.
What many don’t see is the alarming reality of food insecurity that many military families experience - and at rates far above the national average. Despite popular perceptions of service members as being well-supported, according to the Military Family Advisory Network, one-in-four (27.7%) of active-duty military families are food insecure (the national average is 13.5% of U.S. households). Similarly, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shared that 25.3% of the military population faced food insecurity in 2018 and 2020, compared to 10.1% of demographically similar civilians.
In my work with Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and military family nonprofits, I’ve seen firsthand how food insecurity quietly affects their lives. Societal barriers veterans encounter when transitioning to civilian life or the financial strain placed on active-duty families aren’t often discussed outside of the “mil” community. Families needing to stretch their budgets to cover groceries, turning to food banks for supplemental support, or being forced to make difficult choices between food and other essentials is an unfortunate common theme. Many families find themselves rebudgeting and reprioritizing their spending, sacrificing long-term stability for immediate needs.
The reasons behind food insecurity in the military and veteran communities are complex. Active-duty families often face high out-of-pocket costs from frequent moves, traditionally low salaries especially for junior enlisted, some may live in medium food deserts, and spousal unemployment or underemployment due to frequent relocations. For veterans, the challenges can be a bit different. Many face difficulties adjusting to civilian employment, while others rely on Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to cover healthcare and other needs. Eligibility for food benefits like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) can also vary for both active-duty and veterans. For families and individuals already living paycheck to paycheck, reductions in financial support could have devastating consequences, and recent discussions around cutting VA benefits and rolling back SNAP add another layer of concern.
The military is often described as a cross-section of America, and this plight mirrors larger society as a whole. Food insecurity or instability also has a ripple effect on other aspects of society and daily life, potentially negatively impacting physical health and mental well-being. Families under financial strain are more likely to experience stress-related illnesses, anxiety, and depression - issues that are only amplified for veterans coping with the invisible scars of service.
Addressing food insecurity among veterans and military families incudes increasing general awareness, advocating for policy change, and supporting local organizations that provide relief.
Food insecurity isn’t just a military problem - it’s an American problem; addressing it is a matter of both justice and gratitude.
Organizations Helping to Bridge the Gap
Many organizations work year-round to address food insecurity among veterans and military families; consider supporting them, especially during this holiday season:
