Food insecurity in Kentuckiana increases by more than 48%

LOUISVILLE, KY (May 14, 2025) – Today, Dare to Care Food Bank, Kentuckiana’s largest hunger relief network, released new data from Feeding America that mirror increases in demand seen by local food pantries and partners. According to the annual   study, 186,350 of our neighbors experience food insecurity (a 48% increase in the last two years).

Kentuckiana food insecurity by the numbers:

• 1 in 7 people is food insecure (14.2%)
• 1 in 5 children is food insecure (19.0%)

This growing need combined with proposed federal funding cuts leaves Dare to Care concerned about its ability to keep up with an increased need and decreased support. Federal programs such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provide nine meals for every one provided by a food bank. SNAP reduces food insecurity by about 30%. The Emergency Food Administration Program (TEFAP) provides more than 25% of the total food Dare to Care distributes – more than 7.5 million pounds of food last year alone. Dare to Care is not positioned to replace these programs.

If proposed Medicaid cuts take effect, hospitals and health clinics in rural and economically disadvantaged areas say they will need to cut staff, entire departments such as maternity care or, worse yet, close their doors altogether. Cutting programs that help people meet basic needs will lead to a sicker, hungrier Kentuckiana.

“Dare to Care and our partners are seeing a drastic increase in demand,” Dare to Care CEO and President Vincent James said. “In the face of rising food prices and threats of federal budget cuts we know this will directly impact our ability to help working families, veterans, people with disabilities, and our children. A nutritious meal empowers people to set their sights on a better life and a stronger community. This study shows we need bipartisan support now more than ever.”

Money once spent on housing, utilities, transportation and food no longer covers basic needs. Dare to Care and its hundreds of partners in Kentuckiana have seen this increase firsthand. This new data offers a sobering data-informed reminder of our work’s importance. Many are finding themselves in these situations for the first time in their lives. These are families, children, senior adults and veterans who live and work in this community.

Map the Meal Gap is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. Amidst historically high food prices and cuts to federal funding that affects farmers and our food supply, Map the Meal Gap emphasizes the urgent call for all of us to take action. You can support our neighbors by donating time or resources to Dare to Care.

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