Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows a rise in food insecurity among American households in recent months. The Survey of Consumer Expectations revealed that more households reported difficulty affording food between October 2025 and February 2026 compared with previous periods. These trends were most noticeable among households with limited education, lower earnings, and families with children.
Survey participants reported using savings to cover basic living costs, skipping meals, or relying on some form of assistance. The increases appeared across demographic groups, with the highest levels observed among lower-income and less-educated households and those headed by nonwhite adults.
These findings come as consumers continue to face higher prices for food and other necessities. While overall employment and inflation data suggest stability, household-level experiences reveal more nuanced challenges in day-to-day food access.
Household Strategies Include Greater Reliance on Assistance
The New York Fed survey showed that more households reported they did not have enough food or turned to food assistance programs compared with earlier results. Some respondents indicated they had skipped meals, while others reported increased use of food donations or federal nutrition aid.
These responses align with changes in consumer sentiment. Households facing food access challenges also reported lower confidence about job prospects and financial resilience. Researchers described the rise in food hardship as significant, highlighting differences between household experiences and broader economic indicators.
Government Data Confirms Persistent Food Challenges
Separate data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicates food insecurity remained elevated in 2024, with tens of millions of people living in households that experienced reduced meal quality or quantity. The USDA report showed that nearly 48 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2024, including both adults and children.
Although the USDA and Federal Reserve surveys differ methodologically, both sources suggest continued hardship for a substantial portion of the population. USDA figures also highlight variations by geography and demographic groups, illustrating the complexity of nationwide food insecurity trends.
Children in Households Face Heightened Challenges
Data indicates food hardship is particularly common in households with children. USDA supplemental reports showed that families with children experienced higher rates of food insecurity than those without, including households with very low food security.
Independent studies reported that nearly a quarter of adults experienced some level of food insecurity in 2025. Rates were higher among households with children, suggesting that younger families faced sustained challenges related to accessing adequate food. At the same time, national statistics indicate that the majority of households maintained consistent access, with more than 86 percent classified as food secure for most of the year.
Household Experiences Diverge from Macro Indicators
Economic analysts note a gap between national measures such as employment and inflation and individual household experiences. Surveys capturing household-level financial behaviors show that food access challenges persist even when macroeconomic data suggests stability.
Households reporting food hardship also expressed lower confidence about future economic prospects, particularly regarding employment and personal financial stability. The Federal Reserve’s consumer expectations surveys provide insights into how these day-to-day pressures influence household decisions, including skipping meals, drawing on savings for necessities, or relying on assistance programs.
Ongoing Demand Evident for Food Assistance Networks
Reports from food banks and community organizations show sustained demand for services, reflecting persistent needs highlighted by survey data. Distribution events in major metropolitan areas continue to serve thousands of families seeking supplemental food assistance.
The alignment of federal survey results with reports from local providers indicates that food access challenges affect a significant portion of the population. Data from both the Federal Reserve and USDA help policymakers and service organizations understand trends in household well-being and access to basic necessities.
