New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study reveals that food insecurity reached every community in Georgia in 2024, with rural areas facing the highest rates. The study, which estimates local food insecurity at the county, congressional district, and state levels, found that more than 8 out of 10 counties with the highest estimated rates of food insecurity nationally are rural, including Heard, Floyd, and Polk counties in the Atlanta Community Food Bank's 29-county service area. In Georgia, 1 in 6 people, including 1 in 5 children, experienced food insecurity last year.
The report highlights a critical gap in federal assistance: approximately 64% of food-insecure Georgians had incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition programs like SNAP. In the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, that figure rises to over 68%, up from 61% in 2023. Among children, 40% of those facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, a steep increase from 32% the previous year. "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."
The study also reveals stark disparities by geography and demographics. In the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, food insecurity among all individuals ranges from a low of 10.2% in Henry County to a high of 20.9% in Heard County. Nationwide, 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity are in the South, including Haralson, Hall, Spalding, and Union counties in Georgia. The number of children facing food insecurity in the service area rose to 19.2% from 16.5% in 2023. While most people experiencing food insecurity nationally are white non-Hispanic, Black and Latino individuals face disproportionately higher rates. In Georgia, 27% of Black individuals and 19% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity, compared to 11% of white individuals.
Meal costs also vary significantly. Food-secure individuals reported spending an average of $3.70 per meal, but costs range from $2.56 to $6.28 per county. In Fulton County, the average cost per meal is $4.68, reflecting the growing need seen at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. While the USDA has stopped collecting food security data, Feeding America plans to explore alternative data sources to estimate local food insecurity in 2027 and beyond. For more information, visit the Map the Meal Gap website.
