(Indianapolis, IN) – It is no secret that food insecurity is a national concern, and the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly exacerbated this issue. Since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020, food insecurity rates in the nation rose nearly 4% from the previous year. About 11.1% of the country is experiencing food insecurity. This is a concerning issue considering 12.4% of Hoosiers experience food insecurity which is significantly higher than the national average. Recently, an app called Community Compass has launched in the state of Indiana. The Community Compass app originally launched in Marion County in 2020 and has expanded to include the entire state of Indiana. Community Compass is a free tool that is designed to provide access to food assistance in Indiana, users of the tool are able to find food resources and determine their eligibility for federal nutrition assistance programs. In addition to quick and easy access to local food resources, the app is also offered in 11 different languages. To learn more or to download the app you can visit the App Store or Google Play, you can also visit https://www.indyhunger.org/compass/.
As a coalition that seeks to increase positive health outcomes within Indiana by providing support and effective strategies needed to maximize local impact. The Hoosier Health and Wellness Alliance, a Connections IN Health initiative at the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, strives to have an impact across the state, in areas of physical activity, nutrition and food access. The coalition supports and endorses those who are creating innovative tools such as Community Compass. If you are interested in addressing food insecurity and getting involved in your community, please contact Antonia Sawyer (afsawyer@iu.edu) to get connected to the Hoosier Health and Wellness Alliance Coalition.
References
Explore food insecurity in Indiana: 2021 Health of Women and Children Report. America’s Health Rankings. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/health-of-women-and-children/measure/food_insecurity_household/state/IN