By Laura Ziegler
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-557519.mp3
Kansas City, MO – In 2006, a study entitled Hunger in America gave a detailed analysis of who the hungry were in our community and who was utalizing the resources of Harvesters Community Food Network. The data were surprising. 43% of the recipients of Harvesters were children, 48% were families in which at least one member was working, and 36% lived in suburban or rural areas.
While the need remains great, food donations have fallen because of the growth of a "seconds" market, Hurricane Katrina that diverted food to the gulf coast, as well as better technology that has improved manufacturing and decreased the level of non-sellable goods. KCUR's Laura Ziegler spoke with Karen Haren, Executive Director of Harvesters, and spent some time at some of the agencies that benefit from Harvesters food donations.