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
Issue Insight: Immigration
Bread for the World sees global progress against poverty as progress against hunger as well. One of the major reasons people leave their home countries is to escape poverty and improve their livelihoods.
Tools
from our Resource Library
For Education
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.
Briefing Paper: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Nutrition. Assessing USAID's Progress.
Better nutrition is a necessary component of a country’s capacity to achieve development goals such as economic growth and improved public health.
The U.S. Contribution to Ending Global Malnutrition
Worldwide, maternal and child malnutrition causes millions of deaths each year. In some countries, it holds entire generations back from reaching their economic potential.
For Faith
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...
In Times Like These … A Pan-African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement
This devotional guide invites deepened relationship with and among Pan-African people and elected leaders in the mission to end hunger and poverty.
Sermon by David Beckmann at Duke University Chapel
Remarks delivered October 1, 2017 at Duke University Chapel in Chapel Hill in North Carolina.
Thank you for inviting me to preach here at Duke University Chapel. And I especially want to thank the Bread for the World members who have come this morning.
Bruce Puckett urged...
For Advocacy
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: Why We Need $250 Million for Global Nutrition Programs
Bread for the World and its partners are asking Congress to provide $250 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.