From the latest data on food-insecure households to the impact of government programs and personal stories, it offers knowledge and tools for meaningful conversation. Download it now to engage with thought-provoking discussion questions and discover ways to make a difference in your community.
Hunger is not something that just happens overseas.Every state in the U.S. includes families who struggle to put enough healthy food on the table.
The personal impact of food insecurity on families and individuals is not only felt at the dinner table but also ripples through the broader economy, affecting healthcare costs, workforce productivity, and long-term national well-being.
In the United States, 1 in 7 people—equivalent to the populations in Spain—do not have the money or the resources to purchase enough nutritious food for a healthy life.
Food insecurity—the term used for hunger in the United States—is caused by economic hardship and not a food shortage. Unlike hunger overseas, food insecurity is usually episodic rather than chronic.
In the United States, more than 47 million people, including 1 in 5 children, cannot consistently access or afford enough nutritious food for a healthy life. Since 2020, the number of people affected by food insecurity has grown by 4.2 million.
More children (13.8 million) live in food-insecure households with incomes below the poverty line in 2023 than in 2022. Children are more vulnerable to the impacts of undernutrition, which can impact learning, health, and future earning capacity.
Systemic discrimination is a cause of food insecurity, which disproportionately impacts people of color. Compared to 9.9 percent of white households, 21.9 percent of Latino households, and 23.3 % of Black households were food insecure in 2023.
Even a full-time paycheck can’t always put food on the table. Low wages often fail to cover essential living costs such as housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare, and food. The 2024 federal poverty line for a family of 4 is $31,200. The average U.S. household spends $61,334 a year on expenses.
Food costs and other services have increased dramatically in recent years. At the same time, the expanded safety net enacted during the pandemic expired, leaving low-income households with less money and fewer resources. For example, when the Child Tax Credit expansion ended, child poverty rates surged by 5 million in a single year.
Once you have read through the fact sheet, test your knowledge of U.S. food insecurity with a hunger quiz.
World Hunger Education