Rising Food Insecurity Hits Record Numbers Across the Country
The latest data reveals a stark reality that many Americans are grappling with an unprecedented food crisis. The report reveals that 47.4 million people lived in households experiencing food insecurity last year, an increase of 3.2 million compared to 2022, and 13.5 million compared to 2021. This dramatic surge represents one of the most significant spikes in food insecurity in recent American history.
What makes this situation particularly alarming is the spread of food insecurity across previously stable communities. Food insecurity exists in all 3,144 counties and county equivalents as well as all 435 congressional districts in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The crisis has reached virtually every corner of the nation, leaving no community untouched.
The South Bears the Heaviest Burden
Regional disparities in food access have become increasingly stark, with Southern states experiencing the most severe challenges. Households in the Southern region continued to experience higher rates of food insecurity than any other U.S. region, with 14.7 percent of households experiencing food insecurity in 2023. This regional concentration highlights how geographic location has become a determining factor in food security.
The rural-urban divide has also intensified, creating new patterns of food access challenges. A higher portion of households in urban areas (15.9 percent) and rural areas (15.4 percent) experienced food insecurity compared to suburbs (11.7 percent). Surprisingly, urban areas now face higher rates of food insecurity than rural regions, marking a significant shift in traditional patterns.
The statistics become even more troubling when examining specific demographics. Rural counties make up 62% of all U.S counties, but 9 out of 10 counties with high food insecurity are rural. 8 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are in the South, indicating regional disparities.
Climate Disasters Create New Food Deserts
Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on North Carolina has created entirely new categories of food insecurity that persist nearly a year later. 9 months after Hurricane Helene, food scarcity is still real in western North Carolina The town of Swannanoa is a mess after Helene. Some businesses may never reopen — including the only grocery store. “Swannanoa is a food desert,” says the head of a nonprofit that brings in fresh food.
The long-term effects of the hurricane have transformed entire communities into food deserts almost overnight. The Ingles grocery store that is located in Swannanoa did get flooded out. They had major impacts and it’s unclear if or when they are going to restore that store to functionality. The grocery store chain Ingles tells NPR via email that it’s “working on plans” but still has no timeline for when or if it will reopen its store here.
The Staggering Financial Cost of Food Insecurity
The economic burden of food insecurity has reached unprecedented levels, with families struggling to afford basic nutrition. The extra amount of money that people facing hunger said they need to have enough food reached its highest point in the last 20 years, according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study. People facing hunger said they need an additional $24.73 per week in 2022, a 9.5% increase after adjusting for increased prices. Nationally, the amount needed among all 44 million people facing hunger in 2022 hit a record high of $33.1 billion, up nearly 43%.
The cost of a single meal has skyrocketed across the country, creating new barriers to food access. The national average cost per meal, which reflects how much money people who are food secure report spending on food, also reached its highest point in the last two decades, rising nearly 3% to $3.99 per meal in 2022. This represents a significant burden for families already struggling to make ends meet.
Fresh Produce Shortages Hit Hardest
The availability of fresh fruits and vegetables has become increasingly unpredictable, with several factors contributing to widespread shortages. In 2025, shoppers could notice a lack of fresh produce on the shelves for various reasons. First, some farms depend on migrant labor for picking and packing. That workforce may soon be in jeopardy, however, following the recent U.S. presidential election. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to enact greater restrictions on immigration and conduct mass deportations of undocumented migrants once he takes power in January.
Climate change has created additional challenges for fresh produce availability. Look no further than two of the US’s leading farm regions, the Midwestern corn belt, and California’s central valley, to see the effects already being felt. In California, extreme drought conditions are making it nearly impossible for farmers to produce as much as they once did. This region is one of our top producers of vegetables, berries, nuts, and dairy, so we could be in trouble if the problem isn’t rectified soon.
Supply Chain Disruptions Continue to Wreak Havoc
The lingering effects of supply chain disruptions continue to create unpredictable shortages across multiple food categories. On October 1, thousands of dockworkers went on strike against U.S. ports. The strike has been suspended until January 15, but items shipped internationally by boat have been delayed. These disruptions have particularly affected perishable items that cannot be easily stockpiled.
Transportation and logistics challenges have compounded the problem. Another major factor is that most fresh foods are perishable, meaning that any delay in transportation can lead to spoilage. Crates of meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables have been left sitting in a shipping container because there aren’t enough drivers to move them to their destination. In some cases, the food needed to remedy this situation is literally being thrown away.
Specific Items Becoming Increasingly Scarce
Certain staple foods have become particularly difficult to find, with shortages affecting everything from basic breakfast items to cooking essentials. The hen population decreased significantly, either succumbing to the virus or being culled by farmers after exposure to the flu, pushing egg prices even higher. These days, eggs are three times as expensive in California as they were in early 2023, and it looks like the egg shortage and high prices will continue into 2025.
Cooking oils have become another scarce commodity, with multiple global factors contributing to shortages. We’re expecting a vegetable oil shortage in 2024. Canola oil, soybean oil, palm oil, and sunflower oil will be tricky to come by over the next few months because: Canada, the leading producer of canola oil, had a small crop yield last year. South America suffered from a drought, resulting in a small crop of soybeans. Indonesia, the largest palm oil producer, decided to stop exporting palm oil in April of 2023.
Food Prices Expected to Surge Even Higher
Economic experts predict that food price increases will accelerate in the coming year, making food access even more challenging for vulnerable populations. With potential shortages ahead, food prices are expected to continue to rise: the latest prediction from the Institute of Grocery Distribution expects food price inflation will increase by nearly 5% in 2025, contributing to an overall 40% increase in just five years.
Current food price trends already show concerning patterns. The CPI for all food increased 0.3 percent from April 2025 to May 2025. Food prices in May 2025 were 2.9 percent higher than in May 2024. These increases are outpacing general inflation, putting additional strain on household budgets.
Children Face Disproportionate Impact
The food insecurity crisis has particularly severe implications for children, with some counties experiencing alarming rates of childhood hunger. Child food insecurity rates reach almost 50% in some counties. This statistic represents a staggering reality where nearly half of all children in certain areas lack reliable access to adequate food.
The long-term effects of childhood food insecurity extend far beyond immediate hunger, affecting educational outcomes and long-term health prospects. Prior to the storm, 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 5 children in western North Carolina was food insecure. And now, she says it’s worse. The situation has deteriorated significantly in areas affected by natural disasters.
Trade Policies May Worsen Shortages
Proposed changes to trade policies threaten to exacerbate existing food shortages and drive prices even higher. President-elect Trump’s plan to implement a 25% tariff on all imported goods from Mexico and Canada and a 10% tariff on China’s goods could increase grocery prices and make some items difficult to find. “Tariffs will have an indirect impact on shortages by making foods more expensive, leading to lower demand, leading to lower supply—a cyclical effect that could lead to eventual shortages,” Bhatt says.
Many commonly consumed foods rely heavily on imports, making them vulnerable to trade disruptions. Fish and crustaceans and vegetable fats and oils are some common items imported to the U.S. These items could become significantly more expensive or scarce if trade policies change dramatically.
Regional Variations in Food Access Costs
The cost of food varies dramatically across different regions, creating additional barriers for families in high-cost areas. Meal costs vary significantly by county, ranging from $2.91 to $6.67, showcasing the diverse economic challenges faced by communities. This wide variation means that families in expensive areas face double the burden of high food costs and limited access.
Income-based food insecurity has reached critical levels in many communities. 33.5 percent of households with reported incomes below 185 percent of the poverty threshold experienced food insecurity in 2023. This means that even families with incomes well above the official poverty line are struggling to afford adequate nutrition.
Long-term Recovery Challenges in Disaster-Affected Areas
Communities affected by Hurricane Helene continue to struggle with food access nearly a year after the disaster, highlighting the long-term nature of climate-related food insecurity. People, many of them, are displaced because their home was either flooded, inundated or washed into the river completely. Maybe their employer was washed into the river or cannot sustain because they don’t have enough business. They’re underemployed or unemployed and just need one or two meals so they could pay their light bill. There’s different angles to look at how feeding somebody could be helpful.
The ripple effects of natural disasters on food systems extend far beyond immediate damage. Before Helene, the nonprofit procured produce from local farms, but many in western North Carolina were heavily affected by the storm. Today, Bounty and Soul buys produce from outside the area and distributes it in communities where it’s needed, like Swannanoa. This shift demonstrates how disasters can permanently alter local food systems.
The Growing Challenge of Food Deserts
Traditional food deserts have expanded, while new ones have emerged in previously well-served communities. While this may seem like a third-world problem, it’s actually a significant issue right here in the US. In fact, the USDA maintains a Food Access Research Atlas, detailing the areas where fresh food options are few and far between. This atlas correlates low-income and low-access and shows areas where these two factors combine to form food deserts. Looking at the map, you might be surprised to see just how much of our country lacks access to fresh, healthy foods.
The situation has been worsened by a combination of factors affecting food retail. While we attempt to cope with temporary shortages in various areas, there are some places where fresh food is always in shortage. These food deserts, as they have been labeled, are areas where the population does not have adequate access to fresh, healthy foods. Typically, residents live on a diet of fast food and other unhealthy options.
The food shortage crisis facing America represents a fundamental shift in how and where people access nutrition. From climate disasters creating new food deserts to supply chain disruptions affecting staple items, the challenges are complex and interconnected. With nearly fifty million Americans now experiencing food insecurity and costs continuing to rise, the situation demands immediate attention and long-term solutions. The question remains: how will communities adapt to these new realities of food access in America?
