Historic inflation rates and the disappearance of pandemic-era benefits hammered vulnerable Americans last year.The share of households that couldn't reliably afford food rose to 12.8% from 10.2%, according to the report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's economic research service.
It can mean households rely on a few very basic foods and reduce variety in their diets. Those with "very low" food security — 6.8 million households in 2022 — eat less food or skip meals. In a house with children, the adults might go without so that the kids can eat.17.3% are food insecure, up nearly 5 percentage points from the previous year. The last time that number was higher was in 2014.
"If you don't pay the rent or your mortgage, you don't have a place to live. If you don't put gas in the car, you can't get to work," she says. "Food is the place that folks turn when they have to tighten the belt even more.