New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study reveals that food insecurity remains a critical issue across Georgia, with rural communities bearing the brunt of the crisis. The study, which estimates local food insecurity rates for 2024, found that 1 in 6 people in Georgia, including 1 in 5 children, experienced food insecurity. In the 29-county service area of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, nearly 14% of residents—over 900,000 people, including more than 293,000 children—face food insecurity.
Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, emphasized the scale of the problem. "More of our neighbors are having to make difficult choices to make ends meet and are struggling to put food on their tables," Waide said. "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 highlights that 100% of counties and congressional districts in Georgia have residents experiencing food insecurity. Within the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, rates range from a low of 10.2% in Henry County to a high of 20.9% in Heard County. Rural counties such as Heard, Floyd, and Polk show some of the highest rates, reflecting a national trend where 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity are in the South.
One of the most striking findings is the significant gap in federal nutrition assistance. Approximately 64% of people experiencing food insecurity in Georgia have incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition programs like SNAP. In the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, more than 68% of food-insecure individuals may not qualify for SNAP, up from 61% in 2023. Similarly, 40% of food-insecure children may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a sharp increase from 32% in 2023.
Food insecurity also varies by demographics. While most people experiencing food insecurity nationally are white, non-Hispanic, disparities persist. In Georgia, 11% of white individuals, 27% of Black individuals, and 19% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2024. Among children, 1 in 5 in Georgia are food insecure, and among seniors, the rate is 1 in 9. The number of children facing food insecurity in the Food Bank's service area rose to 19.2% from 16.5% in 2023.
The study also examines meal costs, which vary significantly by county. Food-secure individuals reported spending an average of $3.70 per meal nationally. 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. Additional key takeaways and an interactive map detailing food insecurity by geography, income, race, and ethnicity are available on the Map the Meal Gap website.
As the USDA has stopped collecting food security data, Feeding America will continue to estimate local food insecurity and meal costs. The organization is collaborating with its nationwide network of food banks and partners to explore alternative data sources for future estimates. The findings underscore the urgent need for collective action to ensure all Georgians can access nutritious food.
