Southern Illinoisans gather for fifth annual Food Security Summit

CARTERVILLE — Hunger may not always be visible, but its impact is deeply felt across Southern Illinois. According to Feeding America’s “Map the Meal Gap,” more than 45,000 residents, nearly 15% of the local population, struggle with food insecurity.

That urgent reality brought together community leaders, health professionals, and advocates at the fifth annual Southern Illinois Food Security Summit, a collaborative event focused on expanding access to healthy food and building resilient support systems. Southern Illinois Food Security Summit was Wednesday, Aug. 27, at John A. Logan College.