Key Takeaways
- Feeding America Map the Meal Gap study found more than 8 in 10 counties with the highest estimated food insecurity rates in 2024 are rural or located in the South.
- About 25 million people facing food insecurity, nearly half of the total, had incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance.
- The national food budget shortfall surpassed $33 billion, with food-insecure households reporting needing an additional $23.16 per person per week.
- Child food insecurity reached as high as 45% in Lee County, Arkansas, and 43% in New York’s 15th Congressional District.
- More than 12 million seniors and older adults experienced food insecurity, including 7.7 million people age 60 and older.
Feeding America Data Shows Food Insecurity Reaches Every County
Feeding America released new data from its Map the Meal Gap study showing that food insecurity touched every community in the United States in 2024, with rural and southern counties facing the highest estimated rates. The study found that roughly 25 million people experiencing food insecurity, nearly half of the total, had household incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, leaving them without a safety net despite continued need.
Budget Shortfalls and Rising Costs
According to the study, the national food budget shortfall surpassed $33 billion in 2024, with people in food-insecure households needing an additional $23.16 per person, per week to fully cover their food needs. That shortfall totaled $33.7 billion across an estimated 47.9 million individuals in food-insecure households, as food prices remained high and federal support declined.
“Food insecurity is not a distant problem, it is present in every community in America,” said Denis McDonough, Feeding America CEO. “The data help us understand the scale of need, knowing that behind every number is a child, a family, a senior, a veteran, a neighbor working hard to make ends meet. When we listen to their experiences and act together, we can ensure they have lasting food security.”
Children and Seniors Among the Hardest Hit
The report found child food insecurity affected every county and congressional district, reaching as high as 45% in Lee County, Arkansas, and 43% in New York’s 15th Congressional District. More than 12 million seniors and older adults also experienced food insecurity, including an estimated 7.7 million people age 60 and older. The study was supported by the Conagra Brands Foundation, NielsenIQ and the Enterprise Mobility Foundation.
Feeding America Next Steps on Data Collection
With USDA no longer collecting food security data, Feeding America says it will continue estimating local food insecurity and meal costs, working with its network of food banks and partners to identify alternative data sources for 2027 and beyond.
