More Than 200,000 Kentuckiana Residents Now Face Food Insecurity for the First Time in Dare to Care’s History

New data reveals historic need, with additional federal SNAP reductions expected to further strain families

LOUISVILLE, KY (July, 29, 2026)- Dare to Care Food Bank today announced alarming new findings from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, revealing that 203,770 people across Dare to Care’s service area are now experiencing food insecurity—the highest number ever recorded in the organization’s history.

Kentuckiana food insecurity by the numbers:
• 1 in 6 people is food insecure (15.4%)
• 1 in 5 children is food insecure (21.9%)

The latest data marks a significant increase from 186,350 food-insecure individuals reported the previous year and represents a 62% increase since 2021. The findings underscore a growing crisis affecting families, children, seniors, and working adults throughout Kentuckiana.
“This is no longer a temporary challenge, but this reflects a changing food landscape that food banks and pantries alone cannot solve,” said Vincent James, President and CEO of Dare to Care Food Bank. “The data confirms what we’re seeing every day—more families are struggling to put food on the table. Without significant investment in federal nutrition programs, we can expect even more families to face impossible choices between food, housing, health care, and other basic needs.”

Compounding the concern is the fact that the Map the Meal Gap data reflects conditions before recently approved federal reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), meaning the need is expected to grow even further in the months ahead.
“The numbers we’re sharing today don’t yet capture the impact of recent and upcoming SNAP changes,” James said. “As eligibility becomes more restrictive, we expect even more families to seek help from food pantries. While these challenges are significant, they also remind us that ending hunger requires all of us, including government, businesses, nonprofits and community working together to strengthen the systems that help families thrive.”

The annual Map the Meal Gap study, produced by Feeding America, is the nation’s most comprehensive analysis of local food insecurity. Because the data is based on federal and economic indicators, the estimates lag by approximately two years, making this report a snapshot of conditions before the latest policy changes affecting nutrition assistance.

Dare to Care is calling on community members, businesses, and policymakers to respond to the growing need by supporting local hunger-relief efforts through donations, volunteerism, and advocacy. To learn more about Dare to Care and to get involved visit daretocare.org.

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About Dare to Care Food Bank
Dare to Care is the largest hunger relief organization serving the greater Louisville and Southern Indiana region serving as a central hub for more than 400 partner agencies, schools, and programs across 13 counties in Kentucky and Indiana. Through operational innovation and community partnerships, Dare to Care works to ensure everyone has access to the food they need to thrive. Our mission is working together to provide pathways to end hunger in our community. For more information on how to give or receive help, please visit daretocare.org.