New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study shows that food insecurity remains a critical issue across Georgia, with rural communities bearing the brunt of the crisis. The study, which estimates local food insecurity at the county, congressional district, and state levels, found that in 2024, 1 in 6 people and 1 in 5 children in Georgia experienced food insecurity. In the 29 counties served by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, more than 900,000 people, including over 293,000 children, faced hunger.
Rural counties are disproportionately affected. Nationally, 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity rates are in the South, and in Georgia, counties like Heard, Floyd, and Polk show elevated levels. Heard County has the highest rate in the Food Bank's service area at 20.9%, while Henry County has the lowest at 10.2%. The data underscores that food insecurity reaches every community, but rural areas face the greatest challenges.
A key finding is that a significant portion of food-insecure individuals do not qualify for federal nutrition assistance due to income limits. In the Food Bank's 29-county area, more than 68% of people experiencing hunger may not qualify for SNAP (up from 61% in 2023), and 40% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals (up from 32% in 2023). This gap leaves many without a vital safety net. Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, stated, 'More of our neighbors are having to make difficult choices to make ends meet and are struggling to put food on their tables.'
The study also highlights disparities by race and ethnicity. While most people experiencing food insecurity nationally are white, non-Hispanic, Black and Latino individuals face disproportionately higher rates. In Georgia, 11% of white individuals, 27% of Black individuals, and 19% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2024. Food insecurity also varies by age: among seniors in Georgia, the rate is 1 in 9, while child food insecurity in the Food Bank's service area rose to 19.2% from 16.5% in 2023.
Meal costs vary significantly by county. The national average per-meal cost for food-secure individuals was $3.70, but in Fulton County, it was $4.68, reflecting higher living expenses. The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. Additional key takeaways and an interactive map detailing food insecurity by geography, income, race, and ethnicity are available on the Map the Meal Gap website.
Although the USDA has stopped collecting food security data, Feeding America continues to estimate local food insecurity and is collaborating with partners to explore alternative data sources for future years. The Atlanta Community Food Bank urges action to address the crisis, noting that behind the numbers are real people making difficult choices amid high costs of housing and basic necessities. For more information on how food insecurity impacts your community, visit FeedingAmerica.org.
