Federal Reserve Bank of New York report finds food insecurity higher now than at pandemic peak

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York published research Wednesday showing a substantial rise in food insecurity since the early months of the pandemic, drawing on its Survey of Consumer Expectations to compare current conditions with a June 2020 baseline.

Researchers described a "remarkable increase in food insecurity, particularly among lower-educated and lower-income households and households with young children," according to the report. Those same groups also reported greater pessimism about their financial well-being. The share of households receiving food donations rose to 15.8% from 10.6%, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program increased to 17.9% from 10.6%, and more than one-third of respondents — 36.8%, up from 21.8% — said they had used savings to cover expenses.

The NY Fed researchers pointed to the expiration of pandemic-era aid, including expanded SNAP benefits, and the sustained high cost of living as contributing factors. "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," the researchers wrote.