Food insecurity in a young child depresses the upward trajectory of a child’s education from the moment he or she enters the kindergarten classroom. – Nokidhungry.org

Children growing up in complex family households such as single parent, cohabitating parent, divorced parent, or remarried parent are more vulnerable to food insecurity, than children growing up in two biological married-parent households. – HHS Public Access

Improving household food security has the potential to reduce mental disorders among US youth. – Journal of Nutrition

The healthy development of all children benefits all of society by providing a solid foundation for economic productivity, responsible citizenship, and strong communities. –  Center on the Developing Child Harvard University

Rural (nonmetropolitan) counties make up 63% of all U.S. counties but 79% of counties with the highest rates of food insecurity. – Feeding America

Food insecurity among households with children is highest in single-parent families, followed by cohabiting-parent families. – USDA

Children in cohabiting stepfamilies may not receive as much protection from food insecurity as children living in married stepfamilies. – Kalmijn, Loeve, and Manting 2007

Hungry children ages 0-3 years cannot learn as much, as fast, or as well because chronic undernutrition harms their cognitive development during this critical period of rapid brain growth, actually changing the fundamental neurological architecture of the brain and central nervous system. – Nokidhungry.org

Hungry children do more poorly in school and have lower academic achievement because they are not well prepared for school and cannot concentrate. – Nokidhungry.org

Hungry children have more social and behavioral problems because they feel bad, have less energy for complex social interactions, and cannot adapt as effectively to environmental stresses. – Nokidhungry.org