New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study reveals that food insecurity affects every community in Georgia, with rural areas bearing the heaviest burden. In 2024, 1 in 6 people, including 1 in 5 children, in the state experienced food insecurity. The study highlights that more than 8 out of 10 counties with the highest estimated rates of food insecurity nationally are rural, including Heard, Floyd, and Polk counties in the Atlanta Community Food Bank's 29-county service area.
According to the report, approximately 64% of food-insecure individuals in Georgia had incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, such as SNAP. This leaves a significant portion of the population without a vital safety net. "More of our neighbors are having to make difficult choices to make ends meet and are struggling to put food on their tables," said Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "The Map the Meal Gap numbers help us understand the scale of this crisis as we work with lawmakers, donors, suppliers and our partners to ensure that Georgia residents have access to healthy, nutritious food."
The study's findings underscore the persistent impact of high food prices and declining federal supports. In the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, over 900,000 people, including over 293,000 children, faced food insecurity in 2024. The child food insecurity rate rose to 19.2% from 16.5% in 2023. Nationwide, 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity are in the South, a trend reflected in Georgia with counties like Haralson, Hall, Spalding, and Union experiencing high rates.
Food insecurity disparities persist across demographics. While most food-insecure individuals 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. Additionally, meal costs vary significantly, with the average cost per meal in Fulton County at $4.68, compared to a national range of $2.56 to $6.28.
The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. More details and an interactive map are available on the Map the Meal Gap website. The Atlanta Community Food Bank continues to work with over 700 community partners to address hunger. For more information, visit acfb.org.
