MAY 27, 2026
Federal Reserve Bank of New York reports sharp rise in food insecurity since pandemic peak
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a report on Wednesday showing a significant increase in food insecurity among American households since 2020. Researchers updated a 2020 pandemic-era analysis using data from the New York Fed's Survey of Consumer Expectations, finding that food insecurity now affects more households than it did at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The share of households reporting insufficient food rose from 4% in June 2020 to 10% in February 2026.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York published new research Wednesday showing that a greater share of Americans are now food insecure than were during the pandemic period of May and June 2020, drawing on data from the bank's closely watched Survey of Consumer Expectations.
Researchers described the increase as "remarkable," noting it was concentrated among lower-educated and lower-income households and households with young children. Alongside food insecurity, those groups also reported increased pessimism about their financial well-being, according to the report.
Specific figures from the February 2026 survey data illustrate the scale of the shift. The share of households receiving food donations rose to 15.8% from 10.6%, while participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program increased to 17.9% from 10.6% over the same period. More than one-third of respondents — 36.8%, up from 21.8% in June 2020 — reported using savings to cover everyday expenses.