Study reveals hunger costs Minnesotans $1.62 billion per annum

Sep 28 2010

A University of Minnesota Food Industry Center study funded by Target and released today reveals that hunger is costing Minnesotans upwards of $1.62 billion annually in direct and indirect health and education costs. The Cost/Benefit Study also suggests that interventions aimed at preventing hunger are sound moral, social and financial investments. The study is the fourth in a series of groundbreaking hunger-related reports that characterize hunger in Minnesota and that are compelling a coalition of organizations in Minnesota to create Hunger-Free Minnesota.

"The Cost/Benefit Study offers a unique look at the depth and breadth of hunger in Minnesota, including its reach, its implications and its costs," said Jean Kinsey, director emeritus with the University of Minnesota's Food Industry Center and one of the study's authors. "It clearly shows that the effects of hunger impact every single one of us—regardless of our position in society, our job status or whether or not we have a roof over our heads—and that investing in ending hunger is not only a commitment to humanity but a solid investment in the community."

According to the study, those who are hungry experience significantly poorer health and education outcomes than do well nourished individuals. Hungry children, for example, are more likely to experience headaches, stomachaches, ear infections, and colds, and are more likely to repeat a grade. Hungry teens are more likely to suffer from depression and commit suicide. And hungry adults are more likely to be obese and experience diabetes.

These mental and physical health problems come with a hefty price tag for Minnesotans, who pay $925 million in annual direct medical expenditures such as hospitalizations and medications and another $333 million annually in indirect medical expenditures such as treating headaches and colds. Minnesotans pay another $59 million annually to treat child mental disorders, manage teen suicide, and care for underweight newborns, and $62 million more in special education programming. In addition, because of poor educational outcomes, hunger costs Minnesota an estimated $240 million in lost wages.

The study also looked at the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, (SNAP, formerly food stamps), the largest USDA food assistance program, and found that the more eligible Minnesotans participating in the program, the greater the financial reward to Minnesota. More specifically, the study found that for every $1 of SNAP benefits spent in the state, Minnesota sees $34 in combined economic activity and savings.

The Cost/Benefit Study is the fourth in a series of groundbreaking hunger-related studies to be released in Minnesota in the past 18 months. Other studies include the Missing Meals Study, which found an annual shortfall of 125-million meals for low-income Minnesotans; the Hunger in America/Minnesota Study, which found that hunger has doubled in Minnesota over the past five years; and the SNAP Access Study, which showed that Minnesota is leaving approximately $210 million on the table by not enrolling more eligible people.

This suite of studies provides current and compelling data on hunger's hold on Minnesota families, schools, businesses and communities—data that is so compelling, in fact, that a coalition of organizations is initiating Hunger-Free Minnesota, a movement designed to change the way individuals, organizations and governments view and respond to hunger.

Still in its formative stage, Hunger-Free Minnesota is launching a web site and a novel awareness campaign around hunger and its social and financial effects. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is partnering with the collaboration to shine a light on the issue of hunger via events and radio and digital promotions. In addition, the news department will report on the issue across the state.

"As a statewide community-oriented media outlet, Minnesota Public Radio is pleased to partner with Hunger-Free Minnesota to help raise awareness around hunger," said Tim Roesler, general manager and senior vice president with MPR. "We look forward to helping to make Hunger-Free Minnesota an engaging and successful effort that improves the lives of all Minnesotans."

For its part, Target has contributed significantly to the underpinnings of Hunger-Free Minnesota. In addition to funding the Cost/Benefit Study, Target donated 600,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to coalition partner Second Harvest Heartland following the release of the Missing Meals Study. Target's donations are part of the company's continuing involvement in hunger relief nationwide.