Report on Rising Food Insecurity on the Outer Cape in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

Recent federal budget revisions, which include significant cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, are projected to intensify food insecurity on the Outer Cape. This development poses a direct challenge to the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Local food pantries are observing unprecedented demand and are implementing strategic measures to mitigate the anticipated surge in need, highlighting the critical role of community-level action and partnerships (SDG 17) in building local resilience (SDG 11).

Impact of Federal Policy on Sustainable Development Goals

Challenging SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)

The new federal budget directly threatens progress towards eliminating poverty and hunger. The policy changes are expected to have a severe impact on vulnerable populations.

• Over 11,000 households in Barnstable County relied on SNAP benefits as of 2023.
• An estimated 175,000 state residents are at risk of losing some or all of these benefits, pushing them further into poverty and food insecurity.
• The Greater Boston Food Bank anticipates that families losing SNAP benefits will turn to local food pantries, increasing the strain on resources dedicated to achieving Zero Hunger.

Threats to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Cuts to public health support systems compound the challenges faced by low-income households, undermining their overall health and well-being.

• In Barnstable County, over 41,000 individuals rely on Medicaid for healthcare coverage.
• The rollback of Medicaid benefits will add the burden of medical bills to basic household expenses, forcing families to make difficult choices between healthcare, food, and other necessities.

Escalating Demand and Community-Level Impact

Evidence of Increased Food Insecurity

Data from local organizations indicates a significant and worsening food insecurity crisis, a direct setback for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).

1. Food pantries in Wellfleet and Truro have already recorded a 21% increase in visits this year.
2. The Wellfleet Food Pantry recently experienced its busiest day on record, serving 42 individuals.
3. A study by the Greater Boston Food Bank revealed that in 2024, 34% of residents in Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties faced food insecurity, a sharp increase from 20% in 2023.
4. Demand at the Provincetown Food Pantry is now consistently high year-round, a shift from previous seasonal fluctuations.

Challenges to SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The profiles of those seeking assistance underscore systemic economic issues, including the inadequacy of wages and the vulnerabilities of specific demographics.

• Pantry clients include seasonal workers, seniors on fixed incomes, and individuals working multiple jobs whose wages are insufficient to cover basic living costs, highlighting a deficit in Decent Work (SDG 8).
• The case of Ana Carrillo, a 65-year-old who works 32-36 hours per week but still requires food assistance, exemplifies how current economic structures fail to provide security for working individuals and seniors, exacerbating inequalities (SDG 10).

Strategic Responses and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Strengthening Community Resilience (SDG 11)

In response to the growing crisis, local organizations are taking proactive steps to enhance their capacity and build more sustainable community support systems.

• Infrastructure Expansion: The Lower Cape Outreach Council is tripling the size of its main food bank in Orleans and adding a walk-in freezer to increase its capacity to source and store food in bulk.
• Securing New Facilities: The Wellfleet Food Pantry has secured a lease for town land to build a new, larger facility (up to 2,000 square feet) to better meet growing demand, moving from a 720-square-foot temporary trailer.

Collaborative Efforts and Future Outlook

The response relies on a network of partnerships, a core principle of SDG 17, though significant challenges remain.

• Supply Chain Partnerships: Outer Cape pantries source approximately 80% of their food from the Greater Boston Food Bank, supplementing this with items purchased through local cash donations.
• Diverse Funding: The Wellfleet pantry received a grant from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, demonstrating cross-sectoral support.
• Projected Demand: A worst-case-scenario estimate from the Greater Boston Food Bank suggests demand could increase by as much as 55% if all residents who lose SNAP benefits seek assistance from food banks.
• Systemic Uncertainty: The cancellation of a $2.5 million federal food shipment to the Greater Boston Food Bank highlights the unpredictability of support from national institutions, posing a risk to the stability of local efforts and the pursuit of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article addresses poverty by highlighting the financial struggles of residents on the Outer Cape. It mentions individuals working multiple jobs, seniors on fixed incomes, and workers whose wages are insufficient to cover basic expenses like food. The reliance on and subsequent cuts to social protection programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) directly relate to ending poverty in all its forms.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This is the central theme of the article. It explicitly discusses the rise in “food insecurity” and “increased hunger across the region.” The entire narrative revolves around the efforts of local food pantries to provide food to those in need and their preparations for an anticipated surge in demand due to cuts in federal aid programs.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article connects to this goal by discussing the cuts to Medicaid. It notes that “more than 41,000 people in Barnstable County had their health care covered through Medicaid” and that rollbacks will “add medical bills to people’s basic expenses.” This financial burden on health impacts overall well-being and can exacerbate poverty and food insecurity, as families are forced to choose between medical care and food.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article showcases multi-stakeholder partnerships aimed at addressing food insecurity. It describes the collaboration between local food pantries (Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown), the Lower Cape Outreach Council, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and non-profits like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. This network demonstrates a civil society partnership working to achieve common goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all… and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

     The article directly discusses SNAP and Medicaid, which are key social protection systems in the U.S. It highlights the negative impact of budget cuts on these systems, noting that “175,000 state residents at risk of losing some or all of those [SNAP] benefits” and that rollbacks to Medicaid will increase financial strain on vulnerable populations.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

     This target is at the core of the article. The work of the food pantries is a direct effort to ensure access to food for vulnerable people. The article details the rising demand, with a “21-percent increases in visits” at some pantries and a study showing a significant jump in food insecurity, demonstrating the challenge in meeting this target.

3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…

     The article’s mention of cuts to Medicaid, which covers “more than 41,000 people in Barnstable County,” directly relates to this target. The loss of this coverage reduces access to health services and removes financial risk protection, as people will face new “medical bills,” which can lead to devastating financial consequences.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…

     The article provides a clear example of a civil society partnership. The Greater Boston Food Bank “distributes food to all of the Outer Cape towns’ pantries,” the Lower Cape Outreach Council “helps Outer Cape food pantries coordinate,” and grants from non-profits like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS provide crucial funding. This collaborative network is essential for the pantries’ operations.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 2.1 (End Hunger)
   • Prevalence of food insecurity: The article provides a direct measurement: “In Barnstable, Dukes (Martha’s Vineyard), and Nantucket counties, 34 percent of the residents faced food insecurity at some point in 2024… That number was 20 percent in 2023.”
   • Demand for food assistance services: Several metrics are mentioned, including a “21-percent increases in visits at their food banks,” a record “42 people” on the busiest day at the Wellfleet pantry, and a projected demand increase of “as much as 55 percent.”
2. For Target 1.3 (Social Protection)
   • Population covered by social protection systems: The article states that “Over 11,000 households in Barnstable County received monthly help from SNAP, as of 2023.” It also quantifies the population at risk of losing benefits: “175,000 state residents.”
3. For Target 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage)
   • Population covered by essential health services: The article provides a specific number: “more than 41,000 people in Barnstable County had their health care covered through Medicaid.” The cuts represent a negative change in this indicator.
4. For Target 17.17 (Partnerships)
   • Resource mobilization through partnerships: While not a formal UN indicator, the article implies this through examples like “About 80 percent of the food the Wellfleet pantry stocks comes from the food bank in Boston” and the mention of a grant from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: provincetownindependent.org