The latest USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) household food security report shows an increase in food insecurity.
The report examined American households’ ability to access sufficient food last year. The report found that the vast majority – 87.2% – of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2022, meaning they had consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living. However, 17 million households were food insecure at some point during the year, including 6.8 million households that reported very low food security. The study also found statistically significant increases across categories from 2021, USDA reports.
“The 2022 Household Food Security in the United States report is a sobering reminder that, while the vast majority of Americans are able to affordably feed themselves and their families, too many of our neighbors struggle to put healthy food on the table,” said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in a release. “These numbers are more than statistics. They paint a picture of just how many Americans faced the heartbreaking challenge last year of struggling to meet a basic need for themselves and their children, and the survey responses should be a wake-up call to those wanting to further roll back our anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs.”
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member David Scott said the report underlines the vital importance of protecting SNAP.
“This ERS report is the latest sign that the need for SNAP is as critical as ever. To grow our economy and protect our children, the elderly, and veterans from hunger, we must reject harmful attempts by extreme House Republicans to slash SNAP benefits,” Scott said in a release.
Here is a snapshot of takeaways from the report:
- Some 12.8% of U.S. households were food insecure in 2022, a jump from 10.2% the year before and the largest annual increase in USDA’s hunger measure since 2008.
- In 2022, 17 million households were food insecure at some time during the year, meaning they had difficulty providing enough food for all their members because of a lack of resources.
- The prevalence of food insecurity in 2022 was higher than in 2021 and 2020.
- From 2021 to 2022, food insecurity increased for nearly all subgroups of households, including those with children.
Only about 55% of food-insecure households participated in one or more of the three largest Federal food assistance programs administered by USDA.
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