Kansas City, KS- The Johnson County Library is working with the Food Policy Council of Johnson County to bring awareness to food insecurities in the community.
Food insecurity is described as not having access to enough affordable and nutritious food.
According to the study, it has been estimated that 11.6 % of Johnson County households experienced some kind of food insecurity, and Helen Hokanson with the Johnson County Library says, "Food waste is part of the problem."
The study shows that food waste is estimated at about 1.6 million pounds annually. That can be food thrown out at restaurants, grocery stores and even households, but there is a solution.
"Either put [leftover food] back into the soil to then grow healthy food, or you divert it and consume it," says Hokanson.
The study shows that approximately 50% of those experiencing food insecurity come from the working poor, households that sit just above the poverty line.
The Johnson County library is hosting several panel discussions throughout the month to help offer solutions to the problem. Visit jocolibrary.org for more info.