New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study reveals that food insecurity affects every community in Georgia, with rural areas experiencing the highest rates. In 2024, 1 in 6 people in the state, including 1 in 5 children, struggled to access adequate food, according to the study released today. The Atlanta Community Food Bank, which serves 29 counties in metro Atlanta and North Georgia, reported that nearly 14% of its neighbors are food insecure, with more than 900,000 people—including over 293,000 children—facing hunger.
The study highlights stark geographic disparities: among the 29 counties served by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, food insecurity rates range from 10.2% in Henry County to 20.9% in Heard County. Nationally, 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity are in the South, and Georgia counties such as Haralson, Hall, Spalding, and Union are among those with elevated rates. Rural communities are particularly affected, as more than 8 out of 10 counties with the highest estimated rates of food insecurity nationally are rural.
Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, emphasized the scale of the crisis: "More of our neighbors are having to make difficult choices to make ends meet and are struggling to put food on their tables. 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."
A critical finding is that approximately 64% of people experiencing food insecurity in Georgia have incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, such as SNAP. In the Food Bank's 29-county service area, more than 68% of those facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP, up from 61% in 2023. Among children, 40% may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, up from 32% in 2023. This gap leaves many families without a vital bridge to stability, especially as food prices remain high and federal supports decline.
The study also reveals significant 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. Additionally, food insecurity varies by age: among seniors in Georgia, 1 in 9 are food insecure, while among children, the rate in the Food Bank's service area rose to 19.2% from 16.5% in 2023.
Meal costs also vary widely. Nationally, food-secure individuals reported spending an average of $3.70 per meal, but costs range from $2.56 to $6.28 per meal across counties. In Fulton County, the average cost per meal is $4.68, reflecting the growing need seen by the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ.
Looking ahead, Feeding America is collaborating as a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, state-wide associations, and regional co-ops to explore alternative data sources for estimating local food insecurity in 2027 and beyond, as USDA has stopped collecting food security data. For more information, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap.
