USDA Report Shows Sharp Rise in Food Insecurity in 2022 Amid Inflation and End of Pandemic Aid

USDA report reveals that 44.2 million Americans experienced food insecurity in 2022, up from 33.8 million the previous year, alarming experts as it depicts the harmful effects of inflation coupled with the termination of pandemic-aid programs.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Economic Research Service report revealed that 44.2 million Americans faced food insecurity in 2022, a significant rise from the 33.8 million in 2021.
The USDA report also highlighted that nearly 17 million households were food insecure at some point during the year 2022, including 6.8 million households that reported very low food security.
The increased food insecurity rate coincided with high inflation and the expiration of multiple pandemic-era government assistance measures, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the National School Lunch Program.
Food insecurity is significantly impacting households with children in the U.S. with data showing 17.3 percent of households with children under age 18 having faced food insecurity at some point in 2022.
The report has sparked concern over the potential reduced funding or restricted access to crucial aid programs such as SNAP, the National School Lunch Program, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).