Food Insecurity in Tennessee: 2025 Report

A comprehensive analysis of hunger and food access challenges across the Volunteer State

Last Updated: January 2025 | Download PDF Report

14.2%

Overall Food Insecurity Rate

1,002,800

Food Insecure Individuals

19.3%

Child Food Insecurity

10.8%

Senior Food Insecurity
Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Tennessee faces significant food insecurity challenges, with 14.2% of the population (approximately 1,002,800 individuals) experiencing food insecurity in 2024-2025.

Key Findings:
  • Overall Food Insecurity: Tennessee's food insecurity rate of 14.2% is above the national average of 11.2%, ranking among states with elevated hunger levels.
  • Child Hunger Crisis: 19.3% of Tennessee children (approximately 288,400 children) experience food insecurity, significantly higher than the national child rate.
  • Senior Food Insecurity: An estimated 10.8% of seniors age 60+ face food insecurity, representing approximately 143,600 older adults.
  • Geographic Disparities: Food insecurity rates vary dramatically across Tennessee's 95 counties, with rural East Tennessee experiencing the highest rates.
  • SNAP Participation: 13.8% of Tennesseans participate in SNAP, serving approximately 944,000 individuals monthly.
  • Economic Factors: Poverty rates, unemployment, and the high cost of living in urban areas contribute to persistent food insecurity.
  • Food Bank Network: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, and other regional food banks serve all counties through partner agencies.
What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. It ranges from mild (worrying about running out of food) to severe (skipping meals or going entire days without eating).

Overall Food Insecurity Statistics

Food Insecurity Metrics
Total Population 7,051,300
Food Insecure Individuals 1,002,800
Food Insecurity Rate 14.2%
National Average 11.2%
State Ranking (1=worst) #18
Annual Food Budget Shortfall $1.62 billion
Avg. Cost Per Meal $3.28
TN vs. National Comparison
Meal Gap: Tennessee faces an annual food budget shortfall of $1.62 billion, representing approximately 492.7 million missing meals needed to eliminate food insecurity.

Demographic Breakdown

Food insecurity affects all demographic groups in Tennessee, but certain populations face disproportionate challenges:

By Age Group
Age Group Food Insecurity Rate Number Affected
Children (0-17) 19.3% 288,400
Working Age (18-59) 13.8% 570,800
Seniors (60+) 10.8% 143,600
By Household Type
Household Type Food Insecurity Rate
Single-Parent Families 30.8%
Two-Parent Families 13.1%
Single Adult Households 17.2%
Senior Households 10.4%
By Geographic Area
  • Rural Areas: 16.1% food insecurity rate
  • Small Towns: 14.8% food insecurity rate
  • Urban Areas: 13.2% food insecurity rate

Rural areas in East Tennessee face additional challenges including limited access to grocery stores and transportation barriers.

By Employment Status
  • Unemployed Households: 38.4% food insecurity rate
  • Working Poor Households: 22.6% food insecurity rate
  • Fully Employed Households: 7.9% food insecurity rate

Many food-insecure households include working adults; employment alone does not guarantee food security.

Child Food Insecurity

Critical Issue: Child Hunger

Tennessee has a child food insecurity rate of 19.3%, meaning nearly 1 in 5 children struggle with hunger.

Child Hunger Statistics
Total Children (0-17) 1,494,300
Food Insecure Children 288,400
Child Food Insecurity Rate 19.3%
National Child Rate 14.3%
Children Eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch 54.7%
Programs Serving Children
  • National School Lunch Program: 817,400 children participate
  • School Breakfast Program: 612,300 children participate
  • Summer Food Service: Available at 500+ sites statewide
  • Backpack Programs: 45,000 children served weekly
  • Kids Cafes: Operating in 58 locations

Senior Food Insecurity

Senior Hunger Statistics
Total Seniors (60+) 1,329,600
Food Insecure Seniors 143,600
Senior Food Insecurity Rate 10.8%
National Senior Rate 8.7%
Senior SNAP Participation 186,400 seniors
Unique Challenges for Seniors
  • Fixed Incomes: Limited ability to adjust to rising food costs
  • Medical Costs: Choosing between food and medication
  • Transportation: Limited mobility and access to grocery stores
  • Social Isolation: Living alone without support networks
  • Health Conditions: Dietary restrictions increase food costs

County-by-County Analysis

Food insecurity varies significantly across Tennessee's 95 counties. East Tennessee Appalachian counties tend to have higher rates, while suburban Nashville and Memphis counties have lower rates.

Highest Food Insecurity Rates
Rank County Food Insecurity Rate Food Insecure Individuals Child Food Insecurity
1 Hancock County 21.4% 1,380 27.8%
2 Lake County 20.9% 1,420 27.2%
3 Claiborne County 20.2% 5,890 26.4%
4 Scott County 19.8% 4,320 25.9%
5 Bledsoe County 19.4% 2,840 25.4%
Lowest Food Insecurity Rates
Rank County Food Insecurity Rate Food Insecure Individuals Child Food Insecurity
1 Williamson County 7.8% 18,930 10.2%
2 Moore County 9.2% 620 12.4%
3 Cheatham County 9.8% 4,120 13.1%
4 Wilson County 10.3% 14,570 14.2%
5 Sumner County 10.7% 20,430 14.8%
Geographic Pattern: East Tennessee Appalachian counties and rural West Tennessee counties experience significantly higher food insecurity. Suburban Nashville counties have the lowest rates due to higher median incomes.

SNAP Participation Rates

SNAP Statistics
SNAP Participants 944,000
Participation Rate 13.8% of population
SNAP Households 507,200
Average Monthly Benefit/Person $181
Total Annual SNAP Benefits $2.05 billion
Eligible but Not Enrolled Est. 120,000 individuals
SNAP Participation by Group
Increasing SNAP Access

Tennessee has implemented online SNAP applications and increased outreach. SNAP benefits provide crucial economic stimulus to local communities, with every $1 in SNAP generating approximately $1.50-$1.80 in local economic activity.

Food Assistance Resources

Major Food Banks Serving Tennessee
Second Harvest Food Bank

Service Area: Middle Tennessee (46 counties)

Partner Agencies: 500+ pantries and programs

Contact: (615) 329-3491

Chattanooga Area Food Bank

Service Area: Southeast Tennessee

Partner Agencies: 200+ agencies

Contact: (423) 622-1800

Memphis Food Bank

Service Area: West Tennessee

Partner Agencies: 300+ agencies

Contact: (901) 527-0841

Find Food Banks Near You

Use our interactive map to locate food pantries, soup kitchens, and other food assistance in your area.

Find Food Banks

Data Sources & Methodology

Primary Data Sources
  • Feeding America: Map the Meal Gap 2024 (data year 2022)
  • U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2023
  • USDA Economic Research Service: Food Security in the United States 2024
  • USDA Food and Nutrition Service: SNAP participation data, January 2025
  • Tennessee Department of Human Services: Program enrollment statistics
Citation Information

To cite this report:

FoodBankFinder.Net. (2025). Food Insecurity in Tennessee: 2025 Report. Retrieved from https://foodbankfinder.net/reports/food-insecurity-tennessee-2025.php

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