DALLAS — Everything is bigger in Texas, including levels of food insecurity. New data shows that Texas' leads the nation in food insecurity with a rate of 16.4%, passing California.
Nearly 5 million North Texans face hunger, up from 2021, according to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study. Over one-third of those facing hunger are children, according to a press release from North Texas Food Bank.
Food Insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as "the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life."
Hunger among Texas children in particular has increased by 5% since 2021. The new numbers were released as local food banks brace for peak summer demand, when children lack access to school nutrition programs.
The study highlights North Texas Food Bank's service area is the nation's fourth-largest for food insecurity. Over 700,000 people, or 1 in 8, deal with food insecurity within the North Texas Food Bank's 13-county service area. The rate of childhood food insecurity increased to 20.8%, up from 15.8% in 2021.
“In the heart of North Texas, where the number of people facing hunger is greater than the populations of cities like Seattle or San Francisco, the statistic that strikes hardest is nearly 40% of those in need are children, and that is just unacceptable," said Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank.
Dallas county is home to most of North Texas Food Bank's food-insecure people with 52%.
The data also shows that the cost of food is rising within North Texas, from $3.37 per meal in 2021 to $3.83. Food insecurity is also higher among Black and Hispanic people and the disparities are increasing, data shows. 1 in 4 Black people are food insecure and 1 in 5 Hispanic people are food insecure while 1 in 11 white, non-Hispanic people are considered food insecure.
Tarrant Area Food Bank said it is working to overcome a deficit in food supplies as it prepares for an uptick in demand this summer. The organization is asking the public for donations to help the food bank meet demand.
“The rise in child hunger documented by the report substantiates what we have been witnessing in our service area firsthand.” said Julie Butner, president & CEO for the Tarrant Area Food Bank.
This summer, the Tarrant Area Food Bank will partner with local school districts in the organization's 13-county service area to open school markets serving children and families during the school year and through summer.
