MAY 27, 2026
Federal Reserve Bank of New York report documents rise in food insecurity since 2020
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a report on Wednesday showing that food insecurity among American households has increased substantially since 2020. Researchers updated a pandemic-era analysis using data from the bank's Survey of Consumer Expectations, finding that more Americans now report skipping meals, receiving food assistance, and drawing down savings to cover expenses than at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in May and June 2020.
The New York Fed's report, drawing on its closely watched Survey of Consumer Expectations, found that in February 2026, 10% of households said they did not have enough food — up from 4% in June 2020. The share of households receiving food donations rose to 15.8% from 10.6%, SNAP participation increased to 17.9% from 10.6%, and more than one-third of respondents (36.8%) reported using savings to cover expenses, compared with 21.8% in 2020.
Researchers described the increase as "remarkable," noting it was concentrated among lower-educated and lower-income households and households with young children. Those same groups also reported greater pessimism about their financial well-being, according to the report.
The New York Fed identified two contributing factors: the sustained high cost of living following the post-pandemic inflation period, and the expiration of pandemic-era aid, including expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. "The greater financial strain due to the high cost of living, combined with the expiration of pandemic-era aid (such as expanded SNAP benefits), have led to renewed concerns about food insecurity among those at the bottom of the K-shape," researchers wrote.