Food Insecurity in Ohio: 2025 Report

Key Finding

Approximately 1,540,000 Ohioans (13.1%) experience food insecurity, including 443,000 children (18.2%).

13.1%
Food Insecurity Rate

Overview

Ohio, the 7th most populous state with a diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities, faces persistent food insecurity challenges. This report examines hunger in the Buckeye State as of 2025, analyzing geographic disparities, demographic patterns, and the extensive network addressing food insecurity.

Ohio's food insecurity rate of 13.1% exceeds the national average of 11.5%, with significant variation across the state's 88 counties. From the industrial cities of Cleveland, Toledo, and Youngstown to the Appalachian counties of southeastern Ohio, food insecurity reflects broader economic challenges and structural inequalities.

8
Food Banks
1.54M
Food Insecure People
443,000
Food Insecure Children

Ohio Statewide Statistics (2025)

Total Population 11,756,058
Food Insecure Population 1,540,000 (13.1%)
Child Food Insecurity Rate 18.2% (443,000 children)
Median Household Income $64,046
Poverty Rate 13.4%
Unemployment Rate 3.9%
SNAP Participation 1,623,000 (13.8%)
Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible 46.7% of students
Average Meal Cost $3.38
Estimated Annual Funding Gap $812 million
Note: Data sourced from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap 2025, U.S. Census Bureau, and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Food Insecurity Trends (2015-2025)

Analysis

Ohio's food insecurity rate remains stubbornly high despite economic recovery:

  • Above national average: OH's 13.1% rate is 1.6 percentage points higher than the U.S. average (11.5%)
  • Persistent challenge: Rate has remained above 13% for most of the past decade
  • Pandemic impact: Peaked at 15.2% in 2021, improved but not to pre-pandemic levels
  • Child food insecurity crisis: 18.2% child rate is among the highest in the Midwest
  • Regional inequality: Rates range from 7.9% in Delaware County to 19.4% in Athens County

Key factors contributing to elevated food insecurity:

  • Decline of manufacturing jobs, particularly in automotive and steel industries
  • Appalachian poverty in southeastern Ohio counties
  • Urban poverty in Cleveland, Toledo, Youngstown, and Dayton
  • Rural economic challenges and limited job opportunities
  • Opioid crisis impact on household stability
  • SNAP benefit reductions after pandemic emergency allotments ended

Food Insecurity by Ohio Region

Ohio's 88 counties show stark contrasts in food security:

Region/County Population Food Insecurity Rate Food Insecure People Child FI Rate
Columbus Metro Area (Lowest Rates)
Delaware County 226,000 7.9% 17,900 12.4%
Union County 63,000 9.2% 5,800 14.1%
Franklin County (Columbus) 1,326,000 11.8% 156,500 17.3%
Northeast Ohio
Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) 1,264,000 14.2% 179,500 20.8%
Summit County (Akron) 540,000 12.7% 68,600 18.4%
Lorain County 316,000 13.8% 43,600 19.9%
Southwest Ohio
Hamilton County (Cincinnati) 830,000 12.4% 102,900 18.1%
Warren County 242,000 8.6% 20,800 13.7%
Montgomery County (Dayton) 537,000 14.6% 78,400 21.3%
Appalachian Ohio (Highest Rates)
Athens County 67,000 19.4% 13,000 26.8%
Meigs County 22,000 18.9% 4,200 25.7%
Pike County 27,000 18.6% 5,000 25.4%
Adams County 27,000 18.1% 4,900 24.8%
Northwest Ohio / Rust Belt Cities
Lucas County (Toledo) 431,000 15.3% 66,000 22.1%
Mahoning County (Youngstown) 228,000 16.2% 37,000 23.4%
Trumbull County 194,000 14.9% 28,900 21.6%
Extreme Disparities: Food insecurity rates vary by 2.5-fold across Ohio, from wealthy Columbus suburbs (7.9%) to struggling Appalachian counties (19.4%), reflecting deep economic divisions.

Food Insecurity by Demographics

By Race/Ethnicity

  • Black/African American: 24.7% food insecurity rate
  • Hispanic/Latino: 21.2% food insecurity rate
  • White (Non-Hispanic): 10.8% food insecurity rate
  • Asian American: 9.3% food insecurity rate

By Household Type

  • Single mothers with children 32.4%
  • Households with seniors (65+) 9.7%
  • Two-parent families 12.4%
  • Single adults 13.9%

By Age Group

  • Children (0-17) 18.2%
  • Working-age adults (18-64) 12.6%
  • Seniors (65+) 9.7%

Root Causes and Contributing Factors

1. Deindustrialization and Job Loss

Ohio lost over 400,000 manufacturing jobs from 2000-2020. The decline of automotive, steel, and rubber industries devastated cities like Youngstown, Toledo, and Akron, leaving workers with lower-wage service jobs.

2. Appalachian Poverty

Ohio's 32 Appalachian counties struggle with generational poverty, limited economic opportunities, and geographic isolation. Coal mining decline compounded economic challenges.

3. Low Wages

Ohio's minimum wage is $10.45/hour (2025), but the living wage for a single adult averages $17.20/hour statewide, and $21.40/hour for a single parent with one child.

4. Healthcare Costs

While Ohio expanded Medicaid, 8.2% of Ohioans remain uninsured. Medical debt and healthcare expenses force many to choose between medication and food.

5. Opioid Crisis Impact

Ohio has one of the nation's highest opioid overdose death rates. The crisis destabilizes families, reduces workforce participation, and increases child poverty.

6. Urban Poverty Concentration

Cleveland (30.3%), Youngstown (32.7%), and Dayton (27.4%) have poverty rates 2-3 times the state average, with concentrated food insecurity in specific neighborhoods.

Working Poor Crisis: 46% of food-insecure Ohioans live in working households, highlighting that employment alone doesn't guarantee food security in the current economy.

Food Assistance Infrastructure

Charitable Food Network

8
Regional Food Banks
3,600+
Partner Agencies
367M
Pounds Distributed (2024)
2.1M
People Served Annually

Major Food Banks (Ohio Association of Foodbanks Members)

  • Greater Cleveland Food Bank - Serves 6 counties in NE Ohio
  • Mid-Ohio Food Collective - Largest in Ohio, 20 counties
  • Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank - 8 counties in Northeast Ohio
  • Freestore Foodbank - Greater Cincinnati area
  • Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank - 11 counties in NW Ohio
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio - Mansfield area
  • Mahoning Valley Community Action Partnership - Youngstown area
  • Facing Hunger Foodbank - Serves WV, OH, KY tri-state
  • Southeast Ohio Foodbank - 10 Appalachian counties
  • Shared Harvest Foodbank - Fairfield County and surrounding areas
  • West Ohio Food Bank - Darke, Mercer, Auglaize, Shelby counties
  • Mid-Ohio Valley Community Action - Washington County area

Federal Nutrition Programs in Ohio (2024)

Program Participants Annual Benefits
SNAP (Food Stamps) 1,623,000 $3.18 billion
WIC 183,000 $154 million
School Breakfast 382,000 daily $134 million
National School Lunch 818,000 daily $597 million
Summer EBT (new 2024) 745,000 $89 million
TEFAP (Emergency Food) 892,000 $18.2 million

Ohio Initiatives and Solutions

State-Level Programs

  • Ohio Produce Perks: SNAP incentive program providing $1-for-$1 match (up to $20/day) on fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and participating retailers
  • Farm to School Program: Connects schools with Ohio farms, serving locally grown food to students
  • Ohio Food Policy Network: Coalition advancing policies to reduce hunger
  • Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: Provides vouchers for fresh produce to low-income seniors

Innovative Local Solutions

  • Mobile Pantries: 680+ mobile food distributions monthly reaching food deserts
  • Cleveland's Hunger Network: Coordinates 200+ pantries across Cuyahoga County
  • Farm Share Programs: 89 community-supported agriculture programs donate shares to food banks
  • Free Store Foodbank's Community Market: Dignity-focused grocery store model for clients
  • School Pantries: 540 school-based pantries serving students and families
  • Food Pharmacy Programs: 28 healthcare partnerships "prescribing" food to patients

Policy Recommendations

  1. Increase SNAP benefit adequacy to reflect actual cost of nutritious food
  2. Raise minimum wage to $15/hour with path to living wage
  3. Expand child nutrition programs including universal school meals
  4. Invest in Appalachian economic development with sustainable jobs
  5. Address opioid crisis with comprehensive treatment and recovery support
  6. Strengthen unemployment insurance to better support workers during transitions
  7. Increase affordable housing to reduce housing cost burden

How You Can Help

Individuals

  • Volunteer at your local food bank or pantry
  • Donate to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks
  • Shop at Produce Perks retailers to support farmers and food access
  • Advocate for anti-hunger policies with state legislators
  • Organize workplace or community food drives

Businesses & Organizations

  • Donate surplus food through Ohio Food Rescue programs
  • Sponsor mobile pantry stops in underserved areas
  • Offer living wages and comprehensive benefits
  • Partner with schools for Farm to School initiatives
  • Support employee volunteer programs at food banks
Find Ohio Food Banks Take Action

Methodology and Data Sources

This report synthesizes data from multiple authoritative sources:

  • Feeding America Map the Meal Gap 2025: County-level food insecurity estimates
  • U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024, population and demographic data
  • Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: SNAP and WIC participation data
  • Ohio Department of Education: School meals participation statistics
  • Ohio Association of Foodbanks: Charitable food distribution data and network statistics
  • USDA Economic Research Service: Food access and food desert analysis

Last Updated: January 2025 | Report Authors: FoodBankFinder.net Research Team