Surge in US Food Insecurity Under the Biden/Harris Administration

The Impact of the Pandemic on Food Security

In the United States, food insecurity was already on the rise during the pandemic year of 2020. However, the inflation crisis under the Biden-Harris administration has exacerbated this issue. Families with children were particularly affected during Covid-19 when school lunches were no longer available, and they have been hit hardest again in 2022 and 2023.

USDA Report on Food Insecurity

According to a report by Katharina Buchholz from Statista, the USDA has recently published its latest report on food insecurity. The report reveals that in the last year, nearly 18 percent of households with children were food insecure, a rise from 17.3 percent in 2022 and 12.5 percent in 2021. Despite the negative impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the inflation crisis on food security, these effects still lag behind those of the Great Depression between 2008 and 2011.

Food Insecurity Among All Households

The USDA's recent classification of food insecurity includes households that have had difficulty meeting basic food needs over the course of a year. This includes the inability to buy enough food, balanced meals, or regular portion sizes, as well as skipping meals, experiencing hunger, and worrying about food. In 2021, 10.2 percent of households fell into this category, but this figure rose to 13.5 percent most recently.

Adults and Children in Food-Insecure Households

In 2023, not only did the percentage of food-insecure households in the U.S. increase, but so did the percentage of adults living in them - from 13.5 percent to 14.3 percent. The percentage of U.S. children living in a food-insecure household also increased from 18.5 percent to 19.2 percent. However, the USDA notes that it was often the adults in these households who limited their food intake, trying to protect children, especially younger ones, from the negative effects.

Households with Children in the U.S.

In the U.S., there are about 36 million households with children, which accounts for around 27 percent of all households. Children themselves make up around 22 percent of U.S. residents, totaling 72 million.

Bottom Line

This surge in food insecurity under the current administration is a cause for concern, especially among households with children. The impacts of the pandemic and inflation crisis are far-reaching, affecting the most basic needs such as food. It's a sobering reminder of the challenges many families face and the importance of addressing these issues. What are your thoughts on this matter? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Also, don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.