Hunger in Georgia

Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Whereas food-secure households have consistent access throughout the year to adequate food for active, healthy living for all household members, food-insecure households lack that access at some time during the year. Food insecurity is often linked to one or multiple factors, creating a cycle that can be hard to break. These factors include limited income or income instability as well as high cost of food and other essentials like housing, health care, utilities and child and dependent care. The cost of health emergencies and certain conditions can take money away from these essentials, and limited access to community resources can make it harder to access food or move up economically. Other barriers to opportunity, including historical and ongoing discrimination, as well as unfair practices or conditions, are contributing factors for many communities. 

Food insecurity is experienced by people from all backgrounds and demographics, but disparities exist. Several groups are disproportionately affected, including people in certain geographies such as rural areas, cities, and the South. Heightened risk is also found among children and many communities of color. While the highest number of people who experience food insecurity are white, individuals identifying as Black, Latino, Native American or Pacific Islander face disproportionately higher rates of food insecurity. Sources within Native American and tribal communities suggest even greater disparities. Food insecurity rates among Asian individuals overall are lower than other racial and ethnic groups, but there is variation among different Asian subgroups, and some are at heightened risk for food insecurity. Research shows that other groups are also disproportionately affected by food insecurity. These include people with disabilities, people who are formerly incarcerated, immigrant communities, households with low incomes, LGBTQ+ individuals, single-parent households, and veterans. (See our research brief for citations pertaining to the experiences of food insecurity by these various communities, groups, and geographies.)

Local estimates from Map the Meal Gap indicate that all counties and congressional districts are home to people who may be experiencing food insecurity. Yet, levels of food insecurity vary by population and place. Food insecurity estimates are available for select ages and race/ethnicities and are either modeled using historical data from the Current Population Survey, American Community Survey, and Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, or estimated directly from the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS). It should be noted that local prevalence estimates reflect the number of individuals living in a food-insecure household, but not all individuals residing in food-insecure households are directly affected by the households’ food insecurity.