New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study reveals that food insecurity reached every community in Georgia in 2024, with rural communities facing the highest rates. The study estimates that 1 in 6 people, including 1 in 5 children, experienced food insecurity in the state. Nationally, 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity are in the South, and in Georgia, counties such as Heard, Floyd, and Polk within the Atlanta Community Food Bank's 29-county service area show elevated rates.
In the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, which includes metro Atlanta and North Georgia, over 900,000 people, including more than 293,000 children, experienced food insecurity in 2024. The rate of child food insecurity rose to 19.2% from 16.5% in 2023. Food insecurity rates vary by county, from a low of 10.2% in Henry County to a high of 20.9% in Heard County.
The study also highlights that approximately 64% of people experiencing food insecurity in Georgia had incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, such as SNAP. In the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, more than 68% of people 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 without a vital bridge to maintain stability.
"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."
Food insecurity disparities persist by race and ethnicity. In Georgia, 11% of white individuals, 27% of Black individuals, and 19% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2024. The study also found that food-secure individuals spent an average of $3.70 per meal nationally, with significant variation by county. In Fulton County, the average cost per meal is $4.68.
The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. The study uses publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau, and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity. It also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA's Thrifty Food Plan.
Although USDA has stopped collecting food security data, Feeding America will continue to estimate local food insecurity and meal costs. Moving forward, the organization is collaborating with a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, state-wide associations, and regional co-ops to explore alternative data sources for future estimates.
To learn how food insecurity impacts your community, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap. For more information about the Atlanta Community Food Bank, visit acfb.org.
