Food Insecurity Exceeds Pandemic Highs, Federal Reserve Survey Finds

Why it matters locally: The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's survey indicates that food insecurity is now worse than pandemic peaks, a finding with direct implications for New York's 19.6 million residents and the state's food assistance infrastructure.

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Food insecurity is affecting more families now than it did during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The survey highlights a growing challenge for households in affording adequate food. Researchers collected data from a representative sample of households. Analysts then compared current food insecurity rates to those recorded during the peak of the pandemic. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released the report this week. More than 3,500 families attended a food distribution event organized by the Houston Food Bank in November, according to imagery associated with the report, highlighting the continued need for food assistance programs.