Oregon Public Broadcasting

In a report released Monday, Oregon ranked as one of the worst states in terms of food security – or, in simple terms, households that don’t know where their next meal is coming from.

Ethan Lindsey reports.

The stats show that over the past three years, more than 6 percent of Oregonians reported eating less and having irregular meals because of financial problems.

And yet, according to the feds and the state, Oregon has one of the most-effective food stamp programs in the country.

Kevin Concannon is the U.S. undersecretary of food and nutrition services.

Kevin Concannon: “Oregon has had extended unemployment now for at least three years, if not longer. That is one of the variables that puts people at risk, and makes it difficult, and makes it much more likely that you’ll be food insecure – or hungry.”

This report says 17 million Americans cut back their eating during the past three years because of poverty.

That’s the highest reported since the Agriculture Department began national food surveys in 1995.

And in Oregon, that number can be roughly estimated at  about 200,000 people.