Learn about food insecurity

What is food insecurity?

Defined as a lack of access to enough food for a healthy and active life, food insecurity is a pervasive issue that impacts the health and well-being of those who face it. Simply put, it’s when people are not able to afford the food they need. Hunger is a result of being food insecure. Food insecurity exists in every county in the United States.

WHAT CAUSES FOOD INSECURITY

Food insecurity is a complex issue that stems from poverty and systemic racism. High rates of hunger are directly linked to high rates of poverty. Hunger is an issue of resources and access, worsened by the many existing obstacles people face when trying to establish economic security, like:

  • Low-wage jobs or part-time hours
  • Transportation challenges
  • The high cost of housing, healthcare, and childcare
  • And many others

Millions of people in America are just one job loss, missed paycheck, or medical emergency away from becoming food insecure.

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF FOOD INSECURITY

Food insecurity can have a detrimental impact on health and well-being. Some common effects include:
  • Serious health complications, including diabetes, hypertension, and depression
  • Damage to a child’s ability to learn and grow, including delays in body and brain development
  • Impossible trade-offs between meeting basic needs, such as paying for food vs. rent

food insecurity in our region

Feeding America projects that over 480,000 people (8.7%) in Philabundance’s service area experienced food insecurity in 2021,a third of whom were children. 

Bucks County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 45,120
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 7.20%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 53,660
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 8.60%

Philadelphia County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 226,890
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 14.40%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 268,490
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 17%

Chester County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 32,740
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 6.30%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 38,230
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 7.40%

Montgomery County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 56,820
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 6.90%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 68,050
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 8.30%

Delaware County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 48,040
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 8.50%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 57,740
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 10.20%

Burlington County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 29,530
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 6.60%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 43,310
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 9.70%

Camden County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 48,060
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 9.50%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 67,080
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 13.20%

Gloucester County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 21,930
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 7.50%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 31,530
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 10.80%

Salem County

Number of Food Insecure 2019: 6,740
Food Insecurity Rate 2019: 10.70%
Number of Projected Food Insecure 2021: 8,790
Projected Food Insecurity Rate 2021: 14%

FOOD INSECURITY NATIONWIDE

  • According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the U.S. are food insecure.
  • The pandemic increased food insecurity among families with children and communities of color, who already faced disproportionately high rates of hunger prior to the pandemic.
  • Many food-insecure households (1 in 3) do not qualify for federal nutrition programs and must rely on local food banks and other food programs for extra support.
  • 50% more people utilized food banks in 2020 compared to 2019

Learn More

For more information on food insecurity, visit Feeding America.
Find food insecurity rates in your community using Map the Meal Gap.
Learn about programs and policies that address food insecurity, and how you can take action to end hunger.

STAY INFORMED