LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Nearly 13% of Kentuckiana’s population, or 167,950 people, were food insecure in 2022, according to new data shared from Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study.

Dare to Care Food Bank shared the data in a news release, reporting a 33.2% increase from 2021, when 126,060 people in the region were food insecure.

Dare to Care said the data mirrors the increase in demand seen by local food pantries and partners.

The report also revealed:

• 55,430 children are food insecure (19%)

• 1 in 4 Black people are food insecure (25%)

• 1 in 6 Hispanic people are food insecure (18%)

• 1 in 8 white people are food insecure (12%)

“Dare to Care and our partners are seeing the greatest need since the great recession,” Dare to Care CEO and President Vincent James said. “As food prices increase and our neighbors experience changes in employment, health, and housing, they are looking to us to help meet their most basic needs. A nutritious meal empowers people to set their sights on a better life and a stronger community. This study shows they need our support now more than ever.”

Dare to Care said the ending of COVID-era public benefits paired with the rising costs of housing and food is forcing people to make tough decisions to afford basic needs. The organization said federal support provided to people during the pandemic has now returned to pre-pandemic levels, and programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program have had their funding decreased, despite the rising need.

Map the Meal Gap is a study that provides local-level estimates of food costs and food insecurity for every county and congressional district. The 2022 study confirms the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s findings that showed a sharp increase in food insecurity in 2022.

Feeding America defines food insecurity as “when people don’t have enough to eat and don’t know where their next meal will come from.”