Research
In order to solve a problem, it’s important to know its causes. Research helps identify the root causes of hunger and strategies to end it that have worked in the past.
Research is also a way of gathering information and knowledge. And in our day and age, information is power.
Bread views research as a way of actively engaging decision makers and others on the issue of hunger. It’s not all academic or theoretical. For example, Bread’s briefing papers and annual Hunger Report always include recommendations for ending hunger. These are specific steps that will bring improvements in real life.
Bread uses research as a tool to help the federal government make educated decisions. Leaders need both the facts and an assessment of what those facts mean. This information makes it easier to see the implications of various decisions. Our research asks and answers questions like:
- How does current policy affect hungry people?
- Is this policy moving in the right direction — toward eliminating the causes of hunger?
Research also helps Bread members and partners reach out to others as hunger advocates. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a conversation with church members or a high school government class. It’s easier to engage other people when we’re confident that:
- we have the right information
- we can communicate our message clearly
How does our research happen?
Here’s an example: Most of the information in Bread’s materials comes from trusted outside sources. Suppose that a researcher interviews farmers in India. They say their top priority is building storage facilities. Currently, a lot of their harvested crops spoil before they can be brought to market.
Another researcher wants to learn how farmers who support their families by selling their crops at market are able to do it. How are they different from farmers who try but can’t? She gathers detailed information from people in both groups about their farming practices. It turns out that one difference between the groups is that the successful farmers have a way to store their harvested crops.
Americans who are concerned about hunger don’t have the time or inclination to read these studies. Even if they did, how could they know whether the research is valid? What if most other research didn’t reach these conclusions?
A lot of other questions arise. For example:
- Is storage a top concern for most farmers? Or is it mainly a priority among people who grow certain crops, or people with the fewest resources, or some other group?
- Could the problem of spoilage have other solutions that are simpler or less expensive? Maybe there’s a way to get crops to market faster.
Even for policymakers, it’s impossible to evaluate so much complex information. So Bread staff talk with experts and sift through research. They evaluate how important an issue is in the larger context of ending hunger. In the example above, investing in crop storage facilities for smallholder farmers could become one of Bread’s recommendations. In their advocacy, Bread members would use the information supplied by Bread to tell policymakers that crop storage, along with other issues identified through research, is an important concern for hungry people overseas.
"An intelligent mind acquires knowledge."
Proverbs 18:15
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
Election Resources
One of the best times to raise the issues of hunger and poverty is during election campaigns. Engage candidates in your state/district on hunger and poverty using our elections resources.U.S. Hunger and Poverty State Fact Sheets
These fact sheets provide a snapshot of hunger and poverty in the United States and in each state plus Washington, D.C.
Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Global Pandemic, Better Nutrition Protects Lives
With the coronavirus now spreading in low-resource contexts and new waves of infection expected in the coming year, better nutrition for vulnerable people is more important than ever.
For Faith
Finding Hope, Ending Hunger on Both Sides of the Border: A Bilingual Latino Devotional
Devotional writers challenge us to feel the Spirit of God within us and to hear God’s urgent call to demand justice so all can put food on the table.The Bible on Health as a Hunger Issue
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in faith.” These words from Colossians 2:6 remind us of the faith that is active in love for our neighbors.
The Bible on...
Unity Declaration on Racism and Poverty
A diverse body of Christian leaders calls on the churches and Congress to focus on the integral connection.
Dear Members of Congress,
As the president and Congress are preparing their plans for this year, almost 100 church leaders—from all the families of U.S. Christianity—are...
For Advocacy
Fact Sheet: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to respond to changes in need, making it well suited to respond to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fact Sheet: Why We Need $200 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $200 million for global nutrition in the fiscal year 2020 budget.
Fact Sheet: Hunger by the Numbers
In 2017, 11.8 percent of households in the U.S.—40 million people—were food-insecure, meaning that they were unsure at some point during the year about how they would provide for their next meal.