Hunger

• In the U.S., over 47 million people, including 14 million children, experience food insecurity each year, meaning they don’t consistently have access to enough nutritious food.

• In 2023, 69% of families facing hunger reported choosing between paying for food and utilities, while 66% had to choose between food and medical care.

• Food insecurity disproportionately affects people of color and marginalized communities, due to systemic barriers and discrimination.

• Hunger is closely linked to negative health outcomes, increasing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.

• Children are especially vulnerable to food insecurity, which can cause developmental delays, behavioral issues, and difficulties in school.

 

For more information click here 

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Homelessness

• On a single night in January 2023, over 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness, marking a significant 12.1% increase from the previous year.

• More than 50% of people experiencing homelessness in 2023 were unsheltered, meaning they were living in conditions not suitable for habitation.

• The number of first-time homeless individuals has risen by 23% between 2019 and 2023.

• People of color, including Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, Black, and Hispanic communities, are disproportionately impacted by homelessness due to systemic inequalities.

• The primary driver of homelessness continues to be the lack of affordable housing, with the number of renter households burdened by high housing costs rising significantly.

• In Utah, a Code Blue Alert is issued when the National Weather Service predicts temperatures will drop to 18 degrees Fahrenheit or below, including wind chill. The Code Blue season in Utah typically runs from October 15 to April 30 each year. 

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For more information click here or here

 

Food Safety

• Bacteria grow rapidly between 40°F and 140°F (4°C and 60°C). Food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.

• Keep refrigerators at 40°F (4°C) or below and freezers at 0°F (-18°C) or lower to prevent bacterial growth.

• Follow the First In, First Out method to use older food items first and reduce waste.

• Proper handwashing with soap and warm water can reduce foodborne illness risk by up to 50%. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when water is not available but do not eliminate all types of germs.

 

What Do Packaging Dates Mean?

“Sell by” means the store should sell the product by the printed date, but the product still can be safely eaten by the consumer.

“Best if used by” means the consumer should use the product by the date listed for best quality and flavor (not for safety reasons).

“Use by” or “Expires” means the product should be used by consumers by the date listed; you are likely to see a marked deterioration in product quality and safety after that date.

 

The Real Shelf Life of Food Products

Today’s practices of processing and adding preservatives to most foods commercially manufactured food significantly extends the life of food products. Always use your best judgment to determine the safety of consuming any foods, and remember “If in doubt, throw it out".​

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​Check out the official chart from Utah Food Bank for more information​​

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Common Foodborne Illnesses

• Salmonella: Found in undercooked poultry, eggs, and contaminated produce.

• E. coli: Associated with raw or undercooked beef and contaminated water.

• Listeria: Often found in deli meats, soft cheeses, and unpasteurized dairy.