The United States Department of Agriculture recently changed classifications regarding food security in the United States. “Food insecurity” and “food insecurity with hunger” is now referred to as “low food security” and “very low food security” – removing any mention of hunger.

It is simply demeaning to refer to the state in which individuals and families do not have access to adequate food as anything other than hunger. Good Shepherd Food Bank, a member of America’s Second Harvest, is the largest charitable hunger-relief organization in Maine. Our member agencies serve and see more than 70,000 people each month suffering from a condition in which they need emergency food assistance. That condition, sadly, is hunger.

I would urge USDA and our leaders in Congress to work to provide appropriate recognition to a devastating reality by restoring the use of hunger in the national food insecurity classification.

In the United States, more than 35 million Americans, including 12 million children, live on the brink of hunger. In Maine alone, nearly 12 percent of people live at, or below, poverty. Just ask anyone who doesn’t have enough food to feed their family, or doesn’t know where the next meal will come from how that makes them feel. I can assure you no one will tell you they are “low food secure.” They will tell you they’re hungry.

We just can’t call it anything else.

JoAn Chartier, Auburn

Public Relations/Education Coordinator, Good Shepherd Food Bank