Hunger in America
Everyone needs nutritious food to thrive. And, while people are working hard to provide for themselves and their families, more than 50 million people in the U.S. still relied on food assistance from charities like Feeding America in 2023.
Hunger facts
Fact about hunger in America
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More than 47 million people in the US face hunger, including 1 in 5 children.Millions of people in the US don't have enough food to eat or don't have access to healthy food. This is a big problem, but together, we can solve it.
Source: USDA's annual Household Food Insecurity in the United States report
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In 2023 alone, more than 50 million people turned to food assistance for extra help.
Food banks, food pantries and community organizations unite to help millions of people access affordable, nutritious food for themselves and their families.
Source: Feeding America's annual report Charitable Food Assistance Participation
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People experience food insecurity in every community.
However, people in rural communities and the South are often more likely to lack access to enough food. This is because of many factors like poverty, unemployment, and the cost of living.
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Inequality is a root cause of food insecurity for people of color
Food insecurity happens to people of all races and ethnicities. However, it is more common for people of color because of the long history of racism and discrimination in the United States.
Who faces hunger in the United States?
Hunger can affect people from all walks of life. Millions of people in America are just one job loss, missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from hunger. But hunger doesn't affect everyone equally - some groups like children, seniors, and people of color face hunger at much higher rates.
Learn more about hunger in America
Hunger is closer than you think
Want to see how food insecurity varies across America? Explore our interactive map to see food insecurity rates in different communities.
Food insecurity
Food insecurity isn’t just about missing meals. Learn about the causes and consequences of food insecurity.
Hunger and poverty
Did you know that hunger and poverty are closely linked? Learn about the impact of poverty on hunger in America.
Hunger and health
Hunger can have serious health consequences. Discover how food insecurity impacts individuals and communities.