Mapping Food Insecurity: Using Local Data to Drive Community Solutions

Across the United States, food insecurity remains a pressing public health challenge. In 2023, more than 18 million, or approximately one in seven, households were unable to reliably access affordable, healthy food. And the consequences extend beyond just hunger itself. Research links food insecurity to higher risks of depression, anxiety, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.

Food insecurity is shaped by individual, social and economic factors like income, employment, food prices and even access to transportation. Rising food costs, in particular, make it harder for individuals and families to both access and afford nutritious meals, further fueling food insecurity. Federal programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program have long contributed to reducing food insecurity. While there is ongoing debate about the future of these programs, they remain a critical safety net for millions.