Food insecurity in the United States has surpassed levels recorded during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The findings, based on replies from a February survey, indicate that hunger is a more pervasive problem now than at any point in the last six years, despite broader economic expansion.
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The New York Fed’s periodic survey, which asks Americans about skipping meals, relying on food donations, or receiving federal assistance, revealed stark figures. Nationwide, 10% of families reported missing meals due to lack of food in the most recent survey. This marks a significant increase compared to 2020, when just 4% of households reported missing meals. The reliance on food donations has also climbed, with nearly 16% of families surveyed in February indicating they depended on such aid. The scale of this need is tangible, as evidenced by events like the Houston Food Bank’s November distribution, which saw more than 3,500 families attend.
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The economic strain is particularly acute for lower-income households. Among families earning less than $50,000 annually, rates of food insecurity were approximately twice as high as the national average. Nearly 20% of these families were forced to skip meals or go without, a sharp rise from less than 7% in the same income bracket during 2020. This growing disparity highlights what economists at the New York Fed have termed a “K-shaped economy,” where economic fortunes diverge sharply.
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“While many households are doing fine and economic activity overall has been expanding at a solid pace, large segments of the population are facing high levels of economic insecurity and financial strain, and consumer sentiment on the whole has dropped to low levels,” New York Fed economists wrote in a blog post, underscoring the uneven nature of the current economic landscape.
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The on-the-ground reality reflects these statistics. Amy Breitmann, who operates the Golden Harvest Food Bank in Augusta, Georgia, has witnessed a dramatic increase in demand. “We have some distributions where people are sitting in a two- to three-mile line the night before a distribution starts,” Breitmann stated, adding, “They’re sleeping in their cars.” Similarly, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, serving 12 counties, is expanding into a larger facility to manage the heightened need, a clear indicator of the escalating crisis.
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Nicole Williams, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, emphasized the broad reach of the problem. “Food insecurity could be your next door neighbor,” Williams noted. She explained how unexpected expenses can quickly deplete a household’s food budget: “When gas cost a little bit more or food costs a little bit more, or they have a repair on their car or a medical bill, that takes away what they might be using to spend on food.” This illustrates the precarious financial balance many families maintain.
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Several factors contribute to this worsening situation. During the pandemic, government relief payments and supplemental unemployment benefits played a crucial role in offsetting food insecurity. These measures provided a temporary safety net, but they have long since concluded. Concurrently, food prices have risen rapidly in the intervening years, placing additional, sustained pressure on household budgets. The New York Fed’s most recent survey was conducted prior to a significant spike in gasoline prices caused by the U.S. war with Iran, an event that has further exacerbated economic stress for many.
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Breitmann elaborated on the immediate impact of rising fuel costs on family finances: “If you’re adding on another $100 to your budget a month just to put gas in your car to get to work or drop your kids at school and whatever they need their car for, where is that $100 coming from? Most typically, they’re having to pull it from the grocery budget.” This direct trade-off highlights the difficult choices families are forced to make.
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Despite tightened eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the New York Fed survey also found a growing number of people relying on these benefits. Nearly 18% of families surveyed this year had received SNAP benefits, a notable increase from 10.6% in 2020. Among lower-income families, more than 38% are currently receiving SNAP benefits, compared to approximately 22% six years ago, indicating a broader and deeper reliance on federal aid.
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The Agriculture Department, which oversees the food assistance program, halted its own research on food insecurity last year, stating that the studies did “nothing more than fear monger.” This decision leaves the public and policymakers more reliant on external surveys like that from the New York Fed to gauge the true scope of hunger in the nation, potentially obscuring a critical social issue.
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The data underscores a persistent challenge within the U.S. economy: while aggregate indicators may show growth, a significant portion of the population continues to struggle with fundamental needs. The increasing reliance on food banks and federal assistance programs highlights a widening gap between economic recovery narratives and the lived experiences of millions of Americans facing daily financial strain, suggesting that economic stability remains elusive for many.
