Description: For a family of four who are food insecure, The “Meal Gap” is the amount of money they lack each month to pay for meals. The meal gap accounts for food stamp assistance factored in and there still exists a 'meal gap'.

Calculation: Meal Gap is calculated with data made available by Manna Foodbank. Multiply the number of meals by the average cost per meal (per individual). Then divide by the total number of food insecure individuals. This calculates the budget shortfall for each individual considered to be food insecure. Multiply the budget shortfall per person by 4 to calculate the estimate of how much money is needed by a family of 4 per year to close the 'meal gap'. This can be divided by 12 for a per month cost estimate.

For example: In 2014 (data taken in 2014) the average cost per meal = $2.72 x the meal gap of 6,188,235 = $16,832,000. Therefore, following the calculation, each food insecure individual would experience a budget shortfall of $481/year and a family of 4 would experience a budget shortfall of $1,924/year or $160.33/month.

Also the Meal Gap accounts for food stamp assistance factored in so the family in this example would be “out of pocket” that much money to close the meal gap.

Source: Feeding America at http://www.feedingamerica.org/. Data is provided to MAHEC CHIP staff by Buncombe's Manna Foodbank. Contact MANNA annually for updates by calling 828-299-FOOD (3663).