Would more government aid end hunger? Your Say Interactive

It's hard to imagine that a substantial number of people go hungry in one of the wealthiest countries in the world. But about 49 million Americans (a third of them children) are "food insecure," according to a report released by Feeding America, a hunger relief organization. So what does that mean? And how does the U.S. compare with other developed nations in the world? It probably rates much worse than you think.

About 24% of our population couldn't afford to buy food between 2012 and 2013, according to a Pew Research Center report released in May of last year. That makes us among the most food insecure of all developed nations (see graphics above for more information).

But the bigger question seems to be: How do we resolve the issue? Solutions fall along partisan lines for many across the U.S. (see polls above) with liberal Democrats thinking that government aid should be a big part of the solution.

The conversation among our readers was similar. Take a look, then tell us your view in the wedgie below or in the quick poll questions to the right:

All stores should start donating their out-of-date, labeled food to the food banks. Many are throwing it out instead.

—@Bookplace1717

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) should teach couponing. That could make money stretch so they could buy more food.

—@JaNetAdamsSpeak

More expensive foods should be taxed at a higher rate in order to expand the food stamp program for the poor. These expensive food items are bought by the rich.

—@henconcepts

Sorry, I don't understand why anyone should be hungry in this country. Food banks, food pantries, churches are providing food; city, state and federal welfare assistance, local charities, and more, provide food to those in need. Having worked with both the homeless and those on welfare, I can tell you that many who go hungry do so because they will not/do not avail themselves of these services.

—Worthey Brisco

Benefits from SNAP, otherwise known as food stamps, will automatically drop thanks to the loss of additional funds that were cut with Republican proposals. Many Tea Party candidates felt that there should have been even more cuts to items that aid our veterans and that the cuts that went through didn't go far enough. Those cuts will hit some of the 900,000 of the country's veterans who receive food stamps, according to an analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

—Hue Hendricks

Using food pantries is the way we should be feeding the hungry. Not the blatant fraud that's endemic in the food stamp program.

—Joe Gaffney