Feeding Florida Unveils Analysis That Examines Increased Food Need as a Result of the Current Global Pandemic

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Feeding Florida, a statewide network of 12 food banks, released a new analysis that examines the number of missing meals in Florida as a result of the economic impacts from COVID-19. Feeding Florida commissioned Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group (MG) to provide a reliable estimate of how many individuals are currently missing meals each week as a result of the global pandemic. The study is based on unemployment projections pinpointing 11,400 hyper-local block group areas across the state.

Feeding Florida released its original Meal Deficit Metric study prior to COVID-19, revealing that the number of net missing meals in Florida was higher than previously understood. Recognizing the current economic effects of this global pandemic, Feeding Florida commissioned a revision of the study to include an estimate of how many meals are being missed by Florida's newly unemployed population as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The COVID-19 Employment Disruption and Resulting Meal Deficit Analysis provides a more accurate representation of resources needed in every community across Florida. These granular data points uniquely position Feeding Florida and its network of food banks to respond to this increased food need and better assist under-resourced households at a hyper-local level across all 67 counties.

"What we are facing right now is both a public health crisis and nutritional crisis that results in severe stress for most Floridians," said Robin Safley, Executive Director of Feeding Florida. "To meet the needs of this new demand, we requested Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group to run scenarios demonstrating the effect the new unemployment numbers could have on hunger in our communities. This new data allows our network of food banks to better understand the ways that this global pandemic has affected the total missing meals in the counties they serve so they can prepare to meet the need. We hope that by releasing this data, state officials and other local organizations can work with us more strategically and efficiently to meet this increased demand."

Highlights of the COVID-19 Meal Deficit Metric analysis include:

• Approximately 3 million workers across the state that were employed prior to COVID-19 are now unemployed or furloughed without pay.
• There are 2,723,532 more missing meals across Florida each week because individuals can no longer afford sufficient food due to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
• The analysis estimates that there is a total of nearly 20 million missing meals each week across Florida.

"These new estimates of disruption of employment provide the most detailed and accurate look at how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting Florida's workers and families in a way that existing unemployment estimates are unable to currently reveal," said Mari Gallagher. "Florida's use of evidence to assess and address conditions caused by this crisis will not only help Floridians but also other states that face similar challenges."

For additional information and to download the executive summary, please visit http://www.FeedingFlorida.org.

About Feeding Florida

Feeding Florida is the state's leading organization in the fight to end hunger. Its statewide network unites its 12-member food banks to provide a healthy, adequate, and consistent food supply to every community every day. Feeding Florida member food banks support more than 2,300 local charitable agencies, which provide food directly to individuals and families in need to ensure a hunger-free Florida. Feeding Florida is a unified voice regarding hunger and focuses on each community's needs.

Feeding Florida's member food banks include: All Faiths Food Bank, Second Harvest of the Big Bend, Bread of the Mighty, Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding the Gulf Coast, First Step Food Bank, Florida Gateway Food Bank, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, and Treasure Coast Food Bank.

About Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group

Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group (MG) is a national firm specializing in localized data, strategic information, and measurable solutions. In large part because of MG's work, millions of dollars have been invested in underserved areas across the country. MG consults on strategies that improve quality of life, community health, neighborhood market conditions, and the reduction of hunger. MG has received dozens of awards over the years, including one from Concern Worldwide, a global organization that focuses on hunger-reduction. Clients and partners include grassroots community and civic organizations, government entities, foundations, small and large for-profit and non-profit ventures, healthcare systems, and major international corporations.

SOURCE Feeding Florida