What You Didn’t Know About Hunger in Western New York

We’ve talked a lot about the realities of hunger in Western New York. We’ve discussed the many varied faces of hunger – because in our communities they’re not the stereotypical picture of poverty and homelessness.

(Most importantly, they’re NOT the picture of laziness and entitlement that many would argue disqualifies them from hunger assistance.) 

It’s hard to comprehend the realities of hunger when so many among the roughly 40 million Americans struggling with hunger do so silently. What many don’t realize is that hunger in Western New York is just as pressing — if not more so — than in the most talked-about areas of need in the country. Here in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, 1 in 4 residents faces food insecurity. That’s 25% of our neighbors, colleagues and even family members struggling to access nutritious meals on a regular basis.

Why is this happening? What are the hidden causes of hunger in our region? Most importantly, what can we do about it?

Hunger in Western New York: More Than Just Lacking Food

There are simply too many misconceptions about food insecurity. Most of all, it’s widely misrepresented as just lacking access to food. That barely scratches the surface. It does nothing to address the many related causes and effects of hunger – a vicious cycle of poverty and poor health outcomes, debilitating financial decisions, lacking access to vital resources, and MORE. 

Across our region, wages have not kept up with the rising cost of living. Many families spend more than a quarter of their income just on food. That leaves very little room for other essential expenses like housing, utilities, transportation and medical care.

For example, imagine a family living paycheck to paycheck. Both adults in the home have full-time jobs. (Helpful hint: that’s a vast majority of Western New York residents.) One of their most significant struggles is childcare. After paying rent, utilities, the car payment and insurance, there might be less than $200 left for the month’s groceries — for an entire family. That’s an impossible situation. Families are then forced to make painful trade-offs:

• Do we pay the electric bill or buy groceries?
• Do we pay the co-pay on prescriptions or make sure they have a full lunch for school?
• Do we cut out fresh fruits and vegetables in favor of cheap, processed foods that last longer?

These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re the reality for thousands of people right here in our own backyards.

Food Deserts: Why Proximity to Grocery Stores Doesn’t Solve the Problem

One of the most commonly cited causes of food insecurity in the U.S. is food deserts — areas where affordable, nutritious food is difficult to find. In cities, this is often defined as living more than a mile away from a grocery store. In rural areas, it’s 10 miles or more.

The concept of food deserts in Western New York is difficult to pin down. We’re rural. Many of us live in or close to towns. The nearest store for many others is indeed 10 miles or more, but the majority are an inconvenient 5 miles or more. Furthermore, they reside at the end of seasonal mountain roads that are mostly impassable for at least four months of the year due to our harsh winters.   

The reality gets more complicated.

Many people, even in low-income communities, don’t necessarily shop at the closest grocery store. They shop where they can afford to shop. That means traveling farther for better prices, using bulk stores to stretch their dollars, or combining grocery trips with commutes to work.

That often equates to a trip of 35 minutes to an hour to Olean, NY – a hub for resources in the Southern Tier. 

The bigger issue is affordability. Even if a grocery store is within walking distance, it doesn’t help much if families can’t afford the food there. Rural grocery stores jack up their prices to account for their own increased costs acquiring food stocks. But rising food prices, inflation and stagnant wages all contribute to an economic reality where nutritious food is often out of reach — regardless of location.

For those without reliable transportation, the problem is even worse. A 10-mile drive to the store might not seem like much until you consider the cost of gas, vehicle maintenance and the fact that public transportation in most of Western New York is unreliable or nonexistent.

This means that many people rely on food pantries like Olean Food Pantry to fill the gap. And with a more than 100% increase in people seeking food assistance since 2020, it’s clear that the need is more urgent than ever.

The Cycle of Poverty & Hunger in Western New York

Food insecurity doesn’t just cause hunger — it creates a vicious cycle of poverty that can be incredibly difficult to escape.

Here’s how it works:

1. Hunger Impacts Physical & Mental Health

• Adults who are food insecure are at a higher risk for diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression and other mental health conditions.
• Seniors must choose between paying for medication or buying groceries.
• Children who don’t get enough nutrition struggle to concentrate in school, leading to lower performance and fewer opportunities for success later in life.

2. Poor Nutrition Leads to Higher Medical Costs

• Without access to fresh, healthy food, people are forced to rely on cheap, processed options.
• An increased risk of chronic health conditions, leading to higher medical bills and more financial strain.

3. Financial Strain Deepens the Poverty Cycle

• If a family is spending an unsustainable portion of their income on food, they can’t save for emergencies.
• When a crisis hits — like a job loss, unexpected medical bill or car repair — there’s nothing left to fall back on.
• Greater reliance on assistance programs brings limitations and barriers that make long-term financial recovery difficult.

And so the cycle continues.

How to Break the Cycle of Poverty & Food Insecurity

Breaking this pattern requires more than just emergency food aid for the dramatic increase in Olean Food Pantry clients, but hungry people EVERYWHERE. It requires systemic solutions that address the root causes of hunger in Western New York – the crux of our $1 Million Fundraising Campaign.

It affects working families, seniors on fixed incomes, individuals with disabilities, and even those who never thought they’d need help putting food on the table. Hunger in Western New York is a widespread crisis, yet it often goes overlooked in statewide and national conversations about poverty and food insecurity.

But we can make a difference. By addressing the root causes of food insecurity, strengthening our local food network, and ensuring that organizations like Olean Food Pantry have the resources they need, we can break the cycle of hunger and poverty — for good.

Want to help? Donate here, volunteer, or spread the word. Every bit helps!