Research Resources
Data, methodology, and resources for researchers, journalists, and policy makers studying food insecurity
Journalists
Access verified data and expert sources for news stories on hunger and food assistance.
Researchers
Download datasets, review methodology, and cite authoritative food insecurity statistics.
Policy Makers
Evidence-based data to inform policy decisions and food assistance program development.
Primary Data Sources
| Source | Data Provided | Update Frequency | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feeding America | Map the Meal Gap - state and county food insecurity estimates | Annual | Visit |
| USDA ERS | National food security statistics, household food security survey | Annual | Visit |
| U.S. Census Bureau | American Community Survey - demographic and economic data | Annual | Visit |
| USDA FNS | SNAP participation data, program statistics | Monthly | Visit |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics | Unemployment rates, labor force data | Monthly | Visit |
Methodology
Food Insecurity Rate Calculation
Food insecurity rates presented on this site are primarily sourced from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study, which uses a multi-stage regression model to estimate food insecurity at state and county levels.
Model Inputs:
- Unemployment Rate: From Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Poverty Rate: From U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- Median Household Income: From U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- Homeownership Rate: From U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- Disability Rate: From U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- Race/Ethnicity Composition: From U.S. Census Bureau ACS
Validation:
State-level estimates are validated against the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS), the gold standard for measuring food insecurity in the United States.
Limitations:
- County estimates have larger margins of error than state estimates
- Data represents annual averages and doesn't capture seasonal variation
- Most recent data typically lags by 1-2 years
- Undocumented populations may be undercounted
- Rural areas may have less precise estimates due to smaller sample sizes
Downloadable Datasets
Access our curated datasets for research and analysis. All datasets are provided in CSV format for easy import into statistical software.
State Food Insecurity Rates 2015-2025
Historical food insecurity rates for all 50 states
County-Level Food Insecurity Data
Food insecurity rates by county for Appalachian states
SNAP Participation by State
Monthly SNAP enrollment and benefit data
Child Food Insecurity Statistics
Child hunger rates and school meal program participation
Food Bank Directory Data
Complete database of food banks with contact information
How to Cite
Citing FoodBankFinder.Net
General Website Citation:
FoodBankFinder.Net. (2025). Food bank directory and food insecurity statistics. Retrieved December 15, 2025, from https://foodbankfinder.net
State Report Citation:
FoodBankFinder.Net. (2025). Food Insecurity in [State Name]: 2025 Report. Retrieved December 15, 2025, from https://foodbankfinder.net/reports/food-insecurity-[state]-2025.php
Statistics Page Citation:
FoodBankFinder.Net. (2025). [Page Title]. Retrieved December 15, 2025, from [Page URL]
Note on Data Attribution
When citing specific statistics, please also cite the original data source (e.g., Feeding America, USDA). FoodBankFinder.Net aggregates and presents data from authoritative sources but is not the original data collector.
Media & Research Contact
We welcome inquiries from journalists, researchers, and policy makers.
What We Can Provide:
- Expert commentary on food insecurity trends
- Custom data analysis by geographic area
- State and county-level statistics
- Historical trend data
- Food bank resource information