New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study reveals that food insecurity remains a critical issue across Georgia, with rural communities experiencing the highest rates. The study, which analyzes 2024 data, estimates that 1 in 6 people and 1 in 5 children in Georgia faced food insecurity. In the 29-county service area of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, nearly 14% of residents—over 900,000 people, including more than 293,000 children—were food insecure.
Nationwide, 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity rates are in the South, and Georgia reflects this trend. Heard County leads the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area with a 20.9% food insecurity rate, followed by Floyd and Polk counties. Other counties with high rates include Haralson, Hall, Spalding, and Union. The study underscores that food insecurity reaches every community in Georgia, with 100% of counties and congressional districts affected.
One of the most striking findings is that approximately 64% of people experiencing food insecurity in Georgia have incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, such as SNAP. In the Food Bank's 29-county area, more than 68% of those facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP, up from 61% in 2023, and 40% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, up from 32%. This leaves many families without a vital safety net.
"More of our neighbors are having to make difficult choices to make ends meet and are struggling to put food on their tables," said Kyle Waide, President and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "The Map the Meal Gap numbers help us understand the scale of this crisis as we work with lawmakers, donors, suppliers and our partners to ensure that Georgia residents have access to healthy, nutritious food."
The study also highlights disparities by race and ethnicity. Nationally, most people experiencing food insecurity are white, non-Hispanic, but Black and Latino individuals face disproportionately higher rates. In Georgia, 11% of white individuals, 27% of Black individuals, and 19% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2024.
Food spending and meal costs vary significantly across the region. In Fulton County, the average cost per meal is $4.68, compared to a national range of $2.56 to $6.28. Food secure individuals reported spending an average of $3.70 per meal nationally.
Despite the USDA halting its own food security data collection, Feeding America will continue to estimate local food insecurity through alternative data sources. The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. Additional key takeaways can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map detailing food insecurity by geography, income, race, and ethnicity.
"The estimates from Map the Meal Gap call for us all to harness our collective power to ensure everyone can access the food they need to thrive," the report states. For more information about the Atlanta Community Food Bank and how to help end hunger, visit acfb.org.
