What Is Food Poverty?

Food poverty is just one facet of global poverty, but it is crucial. One might think that poverty causes hunger; while that is correct, hunger is also a cause and maintainer of poverty. Being malnourished makes it difficult to work well, resulting in lost wages, which perpetuates the vicious poverty cycle.

Malnutrition also weakens the immune system, making it easier to catch diseases that can prevent people from working. Malnourished mothers pass on these issues to their children, resulting in smaller, more sickly babies, permanently impacting their futures.[1] On average, adults who were stunted as children due to a lack of necessary nutrient, earn 22 percent less than those who weren’t stunted.[2] In sub-Saharan Africa, one in three children experience stunted growth due to malnutrition. Stunted growth also affects cognitive abilities, meaning school becomes difficult for the few children who are even able to attend.[3] Struggles with education mean that poverty’s seemingly inescapable cycle continues.

Hunger is growing worldwide. The total number of people affected by hunger rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, which is a 46 million increase from just a year earlier, and 150 million more people than in 2019.[4] With such a daunting problem, it may seem impossible to tackle the monster of hunger.

GFA World is one of the many organizations working to help. GFA works with the poorest communities, bringing food, care and the hope of Jesus Christ. A major ministry of GFA is providing farm animals, which produce nutritious food like milk, eggs and meat that can be eaten or sold. Simple gifts like this make a world of difference to families and communities.

Neha was a widowed mother of four who struggled to provide for her family by raising pigs and working as a day laborer. She received two chickens from GFA’s Sisters of Compassion, and suddenly her life of struggle was in the past.

“I am so thankful to you for giving this pair of chickens,” Neha said, “I believe they will be a great help in raising some amount of money and will help with my children’s schooling. I will take care of them safely so that they will produce many chickens.”[5]

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