Education and Outreach
Students in Mrs. Overchuk's and Mrs. Selmont's classes as well as Westbrook Middle School Student Council members have been researching facts and statistics to help educate their classmates about what it means to be food insecure. Beginning in late October, weekly "Fact Cards" have been placed on each of the tables in the cafeteria during the lunch waves for the students to read and discuss. The weekly fact is also displayed on the Student Council bulletin board next to the nurse's office.
Week 1:
True or False? Children who experience food insecurity are not at a
higher risk for behavioral issues and social difficulties than other children.
ANSWER: False
Food insecure children may be at greater risk of truancy and
school tardiness. When they are in school, they may also experience
increases in behavior problems including: fighting, hyperactivity, aggression,
anxiety, mood swings and bullying.
Week 2:
True or
False? Food
insecurity is harmful to all people, but it is particularly devastating to
children.
ANSWER: True
Proper nutrition is critical to a child’s development. Not having
enough of the right kinds of food can have serious implications for a child’s
physical and mental health, academic achievement and future economic
prosperity.
Week 3:
True or False?
In
2013, 10.5 million households in America were affected by food insecurity.
ANSWER: False
According
to the Feeding America Organization, 17.5 million households were food insecure
in 2013.
Week 4:
Choose the correct answer to fill
in the blanks.
Every
Year in the United States (a) ______% of food is thrown out. The cost of this
food is worth about (b)__________ dollars. All of this uneaten food could
easily feed about (c)________ Americans.
1. (a) 40% (b)
$165 billion (c) 25
million
2. (a) 25% (b)
$100 million (c) 200,000
3. (a) 50% (b)
$150 million (c) 20
million
ANSWER: 1.
Every year in the United States 40% is food is thrown
out. The cost of this food is worth about $165 billion dollars. All of this
uneaten food could easily feed about 25 million Americans.
