A third of all Massachusetts households faced food insecurity last year, study finds

Local News

Grocery prices have risen more in Massachusetts than in many other places across the country, forcing some residents to choose between buying food and paying their bills.

About 34% of all Massachusetts households faced food insecurity in 2023, according to the latest statewide study by the Greater Boston Food Bank. This translates to approximately 1.9 million adults reporting food insecurity in their household, a slight increase from 2022 and a continuation of a steady increase in food insecurity over the past four years.

“The fact that one in three people remain food insecure is an unacceptable daily reality for far too many people in our state, one of the richest in the country,” said GBFB President and CEO, Catherine D’Amato, in a press release.

The study, conducted from November to March, measures food insecurity across a number of locations and demographics. Food insecurity is a condition in which a household has limited or uncertain access to adequate food.

Only 19% of Massachusetts households faced food insecurity in 2019, a figure that increased to 30% in 2020, 32% in 2021, and 33% in 2022.

Every county in the state experienced “significant” food insecurity in 2023, the study found. Norfolk County had the lowest percentage of households facing a lack of food, at 18%. Bristol and Hampden counties had the most at 48% each. Berkshire and Suffolk counties were not far behind at 45 percent.

Racial disparities were evident. American Indian/Alaska Native households experienced the highest levels of food insecurity at 62%. The study found that 56% of Hispanic households and 51% of Black households struggled to find enough adequate food. Compared to 30% of white households and 26% of Asian households.

Massachusetts is one of the most expensive places in the country to live, and residents are forced to make difficult decisions just to eat. Among households that reported food insecurity, nearly 70% said they had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or transportation.

Inflation is the leading cause of food insecurity, according to study participants, with 73% of those experiencing food insecurity reporting high inflation and rising food prices as obstacles. to a better diet. Over the past year, Massachusetts has seen the sixth largest increase in food prices in the country, according to Consumer Affairs data cited in the report.

“Lived expertise is the foundation of this report,” said Lauren Fiechtner, senior health and research advisor for GBFB and director of pediatric nutrition at Mass General for Children. “When we asked people facing hunger what needed to change, responses largely attributed food insecurity to high inflation and costs of living, low-paying jobs, and limited public transportation options. “

There is an increasing reliance on community food assistance programs such as food pantries and regular meal programs. The overall number of households using these programs did not change significantly, but these households reported going to the programs more often and receiving more groceries through them.

Food pantries, along with initiatives such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are essential, but not sufficient, the study found. The study found that 75% of people in two or more food assistance programs continued to experience food insecurity.

A child went hungry, skipped a meal, or did not eat for a full day because there was not enough money for food in 35% of all households with children in 2023, a decrease of 1% from 2022. Last year, Governor Maura Healey and state lawmakers made Massachusetts the eighth state to offer permanent, universal, free school meals to students in grades K-12. The permanent adoption of this policy, which began during the pandemic in 2020, was a “huge step” for the state, GBFB said in the report.

Food insecurity is not only linked to chronic medical conditions like diabetes, but also mental health issues. The study found that 52% of people experiencing food insecurity tested positive for anxiety and 49% for depression.

“These staggering rates are double the overall rates in this survey’s sample, suggesting that holistic and comprehensive services are needed,” the report’s authors write.