This Scorecard represents the ongoing body of work conducted by the Success by Six (SB6) Coalition to take action on a population indicator relating to food security for children ages 0-6 in Nueces in County. An indicator is a population-level metric that quantifies the progress in reaching a result. This work is part of a broader effort by SB6 partners to impact the result All Children Ages 0-6 in Nueces County Are Healthy, recognizing that food security is a critical component of health. SB6 partners engaged in a data-driven decision-making process with the indicator. They assessed its trend line data, identified factors contributing to and restricting its behavior, and determined additional partners that can help to make a difference. The partners brainstormed on potential solutions to enhance or address the factors. Finally, the partners used a clear set of criteria to prioritize which solutions to take action on and delineated action steps to implement these strategies.

This project is made available through the generous support of the State of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Division of Prevention and Early Intervention. It offers a template for how coalition partners can better leverage resources and strengthen community impact.

Definitions: Number and percentage of children estimated to be food insecure. A child (under 18 years old) is defined as being food insecure if he or she lives in a household having difficulty meeting basic food needs, as defined by the Census Bureau's Current Population Survey. Data Source: Feeding America analysis of Current Population Survey data on food-insecure households and American Community Survey data on household income, unemployment, poverty, homeownership, race, and ethnicity. State totals do not reflect the sum of all counties in Texas. State totals are aggregated from congressional district data. 

Inadequate food intake in children is associated with a number of serious health, behavior, and cognitive deficits. Infants who experience food insecurity are more likely to have insecure attachment relationships, and to perform more poorly on tests of cognitive development. Children in food insecure households have more stomach aches, frequent headaches, and colds than children who are food secure. Higher rates of iron deficiency, chronic health conditions, and hospitalizations are reported among food insecure children. Studies show that food insecurity is associated with higher rates of behavioral problems in three-year-olds; in school-aged children, psychosocial deficits, as well as higher anxiety and depression; and, in adolescents, higher rates of depressive disorder and suicidal symptoms. Food insecure children show smaller gains in math and reading achievement between kindergarten and third grade, and, among those ages 6-11, a higher likelihood of repeating a grade. Food insecurity, when experienced in the primary grades, also has a significant effect on non-cognitive classroom measures, such as interpersonal skills, self-control, and the group of competencies (including attentiveness and persistence) termed “approaches to learning.” (Child Trends Databank, 2016)

What factors contribute to food insecurity for children?

• Economic hardship
  • Have to choose between food or medicine, rent, utilities
  • Wages stagnant in Nueces County
  • Rising food prices and gas prices
  • Lack of financial management skills
• Food stamp benefits difficult to access
  • Changing eligibility guidelines
  • Food stamp benefit amount varies or is decreasing
  • Food stamps run out by the third week
• Hurricane Harvey
  • Priority on home repair
• Different school districts respond to food insecurity differently
• Barriers to access
  • Transportation
  • Knowledge of resources
  • Lack of childcare
  • Political policies
• Food wasted

What factors prevent food insecurity for children?

• Access to supplemental food support
  • WIC and SNAP
  • Food pantries
  • Food Bank’s backpack program
  • SFSP available at ISDs, City Latchkey, Summer camps
  • CCISD students in Transition - Food, clothes, toiletry closet
  • Additional nutrition programs at schools
  • Personal gardens and community garden programs - schools, Amistad, Oak Park, Learning Gardens, Grow South Texas
• Financial stability for individuals
  • Opportunities to participate in classes that address food security in some form
    • Financial management
    • Meal planning practices
    • Diabetes prevention/education/healthy cooking
  • Opportunities exist to participate/advance in the workforce
  • Unemployment low in Nueces
  • Increase in building construction (hotels & restaurant)
  • Some fast food places pay $10-$12/Hr
  • Job training and job placement services
    • Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend
    • Jobs for life program
    • Dress for Success, other employment programs have clothes closets
  • Availability of wraparound supports
• Awareness about food insecurity in Nueces County
• Public awareness campaigns (hunger, healthy living/eating)

• Food Bank
• TX Agrilife
• SFSP
• Be A Champion
• Catholic Charities
• USDA
• HHSC-SNAP
• The Salvation Army - Food Canteen
• Red Cross during disasters
• CC Metro Ministries
• Mt Theresa Day Shelter
• City Parks & Rec
• Tacos Not Bombs
• WIC
• Grow Local Farmers Markets
• Libraries
• CACFP/School lunch
• Home Visiting programs
• Churches/community centers

Evidence-Based Practices

• TX Agrilife education classes
• WIC education and healthy foods
• CACFP/school lunch
• Antonio Garcia - diabetes education classes

Promising Practices

• Food bank and ISDs - backpack programs, cooking classes for kids during summer
• Provide financial planning for families (budgeting, coupon use)
• Community gardens
• SNAP benefits
• Take home meals
• Home delivered meal plans
• Use an Asset Based Community Development approach that empowers residents to develop internal solutions

Low Cost/No Cost Solutions

• Meal planning
• Nutrition classes
• Salvation Army - Canteen Free
• CC Metro/Mt Theresa-Catholic Charities - online access, low cost meal planning
• Encourage personal garden
• Grandma’s cooking classes at church
• Increase awareness of the Bill Emerson food donation rule

Off the Wall Ideas

• Nutritious food truck (communities/groceries)
• Mobile WIC
• Every restaurant donates safe leftovers
• No child go hungry policy
• Taco Not Boms
• Community pot luck dinner

Prioritized Strategy: Increase education and training opportunities for residents about financial planning and meal planning.

Action Steps:

• Create more accountability for waching online videos (financial) by creating financial incentives that accrue on card
• Combine food stamp application support with financial planning/meal planning classes, to incentize attendance
• Work with grocers to create discount/coupon for card holders
• Value added service on health plans
• Education on transportation resources to vendors

Prioritized Strategy: Promote food donation by businesses and agencies/organizations.

Action Steps:

• Identify food service organizations to inquire what their practices are with uneaten foods
• Encourage companies that donate during holiday season to extend the contributions beyond (for example, to address summer hunger)
• Identify current feedings organizations that need funding and strategize

Prioritized Strategy: Engage faith-based community and/or charitable organizations to promote 4th week of month as “Hunger Week”.

Action Steps:

• Develop collatoral (flyers, social media content, etc.) explaining why the 4th week of the month is "Hunger Week"
• Work with school food programs
• Convene annual meeting of all hunger initiative providers
• Promote resourceful use of food and food preparation
• Reach out to Grow Your Own
• Create awareness with City Council and other stakeholders

Prioritized Strategy: Employ an Asset-Based Community Development approach that empowers residents to develop local solutions.

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