Food Insecurity by state

Food & Shelter
Written By Alysha Rashid

In the South, 13% of adults reported their households went hungry in June. AL, KY, MS, and WV reported the highest rates of hunger in the U.S., topping out at 21% in WV.

Food insecurity, June 1-13, 2022

Percent of adults who report their household sometimes or often went hungry in last 7 days

In June 2022, 13% of Southerners (and 10% of non-Southerners) reported their household didn’t have enough to eat. Food insecurity was most severe in Southern states, with 21% of West Virginians, 18% of Mississippians, 17% of Alabamians, and 16% of Kentuckians not able to put enough food on the table.

Without Child Tax Credit payments, this summer is particularly difficult for low-income families who are also missing out on school lunches.1 Furthermore, as of June 2022, the cost of groceries had increased at an annual rate of 12.2%. Of all consumer items, only energy prices rose higher during this time — at an annual rate of 41.6%.2 Meanwhile, several Southern states including AR, FL, KY, MS, and TN have rejected and stopped distributing emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) allotments. Food banks are experiencing increased demand due to inflation and the elimination of these SNAP benefits.3,4,5,6

  1. “Three questions for the labor market’s near future”. Henry-Nickie, Barr, and Seo. Brookings. June, 2022. https://www.brookings.edu/blog/the-avenue/2022/06/17/three-questions-for-the-labor-markets-near-future/

  2. “Consumer Price Index Summary”. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. June, 2022. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm 

  3. “Food banks note increased demand, seeking donations”. Hutcheson. Camden News. June, 2022. https://www.camdenarknews.com/news/2022/jun/17/food-banks-note-increased-demand-seeking-donations/ 

  4. “Local food pantries are in danger of running out of food”. Quynh. CBS Miami. July, 2022. https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/local-food-pantries-are-in-danger-of-running-out-of-food/

  5. “Central Ky. food pantries see growing need for help”. Jones. WKYT. July, 2022. https://www.wkyt.com/2022/07/08/central-ky-food-pantries-see-growing-need-help/

  6. “More people seeking help from East TN food banks as prices rise, straining some food banks’ resources”. Garcia-Franceschini. WBIR. July, 2022. https://www.wbir.com/article/news/local/east-tennessee-food-banks-affected-by-inflation-and-rising-prices/51-da6816ac-731a-4c42-9f7c-0383c47959d3

Alysha Rashid
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