Fall Data Challenge: Resources Roundup
September 29, 2021
This year’s Fall Data Challenge theme is “Fight Food Insecurity!” As the October 11 start date inches closer, it’s time to get familiar with data and statistics resources surrounding food insecurity.
Statistics—the science of learning from data—is increasingly in high demand in a wide range of fields, from political campaigns to sports analytics to data journalism … and addressing important needs including food insecurity.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), food insecurity is the lack of access to enough sustainable food to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. In 2020, more than 38 million people faced hunger in the United States, and this number will likely continue to grow.
To help you prepare to tackle this year’s dataset—and this important topic—here are a few examples of how data contributes to understanding food insecurity in the United States and developing solutions to address these concerns. Below is some inspiration to get you started, and you’ll also find tools and resources that will help your team with your submission.
Ready to Get Started?
In the News
The Washington Post: New federal study shows safety net helped prevent widespread hunger during the pandemic
A report from the USDA shows that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of households in America struggling with hunger remained constant; however, food insecurity during the pandemic improved for some households while worsening others. In this article, you will explore the USDA’s data-driven report on food insecurity during the pandemic and how aid programs have impacted different households across America.
CNBC: Food Insecurity Dropped after Families Received the First Advanced Child Tax Credit Payment
Survey results show 47% of households that received the CTC spent the extra money on food for their family. This article explores how the CTC payment impacted food scarcity in families across the country.
Times Record: Debunking Five Myths and Misconceptions about Food Insecurity
Many people believe that food insecurity isn’t a problem in the United States or that it only impacts specific demographics. However, nearly 1 in 8 people across the country experience food insecurity, and the number has continued to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, you will learn about the common misconceptions of food insecurity and hunger—backed by the data, of course.
Datasets in Action
For the 2021 Fall Data Challenge, students will apply their statistical skills to analyze real-world food insecurity data and offer analysis and recommendations for solutions to this ongoing problem. Below are resources to get your team started exploring the issue—and could even be added to your review of the official dataset for additional insight in your team’s submission!
Graphing Food Insecurity in the United States
As COVID-19 impacted the landscape of the nation’s food insecurity, this article from the Urban Institute offers a deep dive into data’s role in identifying and addressing support needs—as well as the impact of a lack of data and what various researchers have suggested to address it.
United States Department of Agriculture Key Statistics
This breakdown of USDA food security statistics and graphs offers an introduction to the data the Department has to offer on the subject.
The White House: Federal Income Support Helps Boost Food Security Rates
This article breaks down an assessment of the state of food insecurity in the U.S., provides an approach to solutions, and demonstrates how to evaluate the results of the solution once implemented. Hint: statistics is at the core of all of it.
Additional Resources for the Fall Data Challenge:
- Fall Data Challenge Web Page
- Fall Data Challenge ‘Get Started’ Dataset Guide
- Fall Data Challenge FAQs
- Fall Data Challenge Educator Resources
If you have questions about the Fall Data Challenge, please contact us at thisisstats@gmail.com.
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