As we celebrate Minority Health Month and Black Maternal Health Week this April, it’s essential to acknowledge not only the importance of equitable healthcare and lactation practices but also the barriers that many families in our community face, including food insecurity. For families experiencing food insecurity, the challenges are multifaceted, affecting not just access to nutritious food but also the ability to care for a newborn with adequate lactation support.
Breastfeeding and lactation practices are known to provide numerous health benefits for both parent and baby, but without access to nutritious food, maintaining a healthy milk supply can be incredibly difficult. Food insecurity—defined as the lack of reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food—can impact a mother’s ability to breastfeed successfully, which in turn affects the health and well-being of their child.
At Breastfeed Durham, we recognize the urgent need to provide support to families who are navigating both lactation challenges and food insecurity. There are several resources available to help alleviate these struggles:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): This federal program provides financial assistance to low-income families to purchase food. SNAP can help ensure that families have access to the nutritious foods they need to support breastfeeding and overall health.
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program: WIC offers food assistance specifically for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. In addition to providing food vouchers, WIC also offers breastfeeding support, nutritional counseling, and referrals to other services.
- Durham Food Resource Map: This interactive, searchable map provides a comprehensive list of food pantries, summer meal sites (when open), farmers markets offering double bucks, and stores that accept SNAP and WIC. The map is a great tool for finding food resources in Durham and ensuring families have access to nutritious options. Explore the Durham Food Resource Map
- Food Resource – End Hunger Durham: End Hunger Durham offers an updated list of food pantries in Durham, available in both English and Spanish. These pantries provide free access to food and are a vital resource for families in need. You can find the list of food pantries here: End Hunger Durham Food Resources
As we continue our work to build a more equitable community, it’s important to remember that food insecurity and access to lactation support are closely connected. Ensuring that all families—regardless of background or income—can access the resources they need is crucial to improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
If you or someone you know is facing food insecurity, please reach out to local resources and organizations like Breastfeed Durham. Together, we can create a supportive and healthy environment for all families.