Food Insecurity
13% of Southern households went hungry in June. The highest rates of hunger nationwide were in LA (19%), MS (18%), and AR (17%).
Food insecurity, June 7-19, 2023
Percent of adults who report their household sometimes or often went hungry in last 7 days
In June 2023, 12% of Americans reported that their household sometimes or often went hungry. In the South, it was 13%. Three Southern states had the highest rate of food insecurity: LA (19%), MS (18%), and AR (17%). In 2021, before high inflation took hold, households with incomes in the lowest ⅕ of all Americans spent an average of $4,875 annually on food or nearly ⅓ of their income.1 Then, in 2022, grocery prices rose 10%.2 While inflation has cooled, grocery prices have still increased 5.7% for the 12-month period ending June 2023.
7 Southern states ended pandemic emergency food benefits early, and all states ended these benefits in March 2023, leaving SNAP recipients across the nation with at least $90 less per month.3 More and more Americans are turning to food banks, nonprofits, and other community organizations for help.4,5
Food insecurity has effects on physical and mental health (Symptoms of anxiety/depression).6,7 Food insecurity for children, in particular, contributes to chronic stress that actually disrupts the development of the brain.8 Eliminating sales tax on groceries is one way that states can reduce food insecurity. AL and MS are 2 of 3 states that offers no relief on the sales tax rate on groceries.9,10
“Food Prices and Spending”. USDA. https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/ag-and-food-statistics-charting-the-essentials/food-prices-and-spending/
“Food Inflation in the United States (1968-2023)”. U.S. Inflation Calculator. https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/inflation/food-inflation-in-the-united-states/
“Temporary Pandemic SNAP Benefits Will End in Remaining 35 States in March 2023”. Rosenbaum, Bergh, and Hall. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. February, 2023. https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/temporary-pandemic-snap-benefits-will-end-in-remaining-35-states-in-march
“East Manatee food pantries see consistent, growing demand”. Ramos. Your Observer. July, 2023. https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2023/jul/17/east-manatee-food-pantries-see-consistent-demand/
“New food bank center targeting another area of major need: Cobb County”. 11Alive. July, 2023. https://www.11alive.com/article/life/food/new-food-bank-atlanta-cobb-county-austell-road-fair-oaks-marietta-square-family/85-1507e2e2-0a06-4a6d-8834-43e523ff37cf
“Food Insecurity”. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/food-insecurity
“Food Insecurity, Chronic Disease, and Health Among Working-Age Adults”. Gregory, Coleman-Jensen. USDA. July, 2017. https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/84467/err-235_summary.pdf?v=0
“Excessive Stress Disrupts the Architecture of the Developing Brain”. National Scientific Council on the Developing Child. May, 2005. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/2005/05/Stress_Disrupts_Architecture_Developing_Brain-1.pdf
“Mississippi’s grocery tax rate versus other states”. Grove. WJTV. June, 2023. https://www.wjtv.com/news/state/mississippis-grocery-tax-rate-versus-other-states/#:~:text=Grocery%20taxes%20do%20not%20exist,highest%20to%20lowest%20is%20below.
“After decades of attempts, major Alabama bill to cut state’s 4% grocery tax wins final passage”. Chandler. AP News. June, 2023. https://apnews.com/article/alabama-legislature-grocery-tax-cut-70b306a1dcb583ea707a055a73f535fd
