One in seven American households struggles with food insecurity, and many of our nation’s military families find themselves among them. But the problem isn’t just about putting meals on the table; it’s about providing nutritious food in an environment where quality food is hard to come by and access to resources is limited by geography or income. Here are three reasons beyond providing meals to understanding the full scope of food insecurity in the military community.

Military families face unique challenges when it comes to food insecurity. A study conducted in 2020 by Blue Star Families found that 14% of surveyed military families reportedly face some form of food insecurity. Several reasons include low incomes, lack of healthy food options within a family’s budget, and limited access to nutritional education. It’s important to remember that food insecurity is about more than just access to food; It’s also about education and awareness. For example, some military families may not know how to cook nutritious meals on a budget and will rely on fast-food restaurants or unhealthy convenience foods like microwavable entrees and canned goods from the grocery store because they’re cheap or easy to make. And even if you have all the ingredients for a healthy meal, there’s no guarantee you’ll have time to prepare it.

1. Limited Access to Nutritional Education

Many service members join the military right out of high school with little to no knowledge of how to cook nutritious meals. They’re then given an allowance that doesn’t cover the cost of healthy food and are left to fend for themselves. This lack of education creates a perfect storm for unhealthy eating habits and, eventually, food insecurity. Additionally, many young service members say they skip breakfast because they are not hungry or don’t have time to eat—the consequences: A rise in obesity rates among military kids and adults. Practicing good nutritional habits can include reading about healthy living and eating habits and participating in free local culinary programs.

2. Increased Cost of Living and Low Wages

Many service members and their families live paycheck to paycheck, with little to no savings. This makes it difficult to cover unexpected expenses, like car repairs or medical bills. And when you’re already struggling to make ends meet, an increased cost of living can be devastating. The average military family has seen their grocery bills increase by $3,000 in the last ten years due to inflation. Did you know that a gallon of milk costs about 30% more now than it did in 2000? Yet, the most significant pay increase for military service members in the past decade was in 2020, which was 3.1%. Low wages have created mounting obstacles for military families that reach all aspects of their families’ well-being.

3. Access to Healthy Food Options on a Budget

According to the Department of Agriculture, a family of four will spend an average of $150 to $215 per week to afford a healthy diet as defined by the USDA. That’s almost $1000 per month – just for the food. Likewise, the military families stationed at remote duty stations or abroad may not know where to get the food they are accustomed to on the economy. When you factor in other costs like housing, transportation, and child care, it’s no wonder that many families struggle to put healthy food on the table.

Thankfully, military families have access to commissaries on the base where they can find affordable prices and nutritional options. At the same time, barriers like low compensation, education, and access to nutritious food all play a part in the rise of food insecurity in the military community.

By increasing compensation for military families, we can help offset the rising costs of food. We can improve access to education and training on nutrition and food preparation, and we can help families make better choices about what they eat. Lastly, by ensuring that all families have access to nutritious food, we can help ensure that all military families have the energy and resources they need to lead healthy lives. Unhealthy food habits are created when good nutritional foods are out of reach because they are too expensive or not available in the first place. Together we can change the narrative.

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