New data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study provides the latest available picture of food insecurity across the country, highlighting the challenges families faced in 2024. Nationally, more than 8 in 10 counties with the highest estimated rates of food insecurity are rural. In Tennessee, an estimated 1.178 million people, including more than 346,700 children, experienced food insecurity in 2024. The study also revealed that approximately 58.2 percent of people experiencing food insecurity in Tennessee had incomes too high to qualify for federal nutrition assistance, leaving them without a vital bridge to maintain stability.
As food prices have remained stubbornly high and federal support has declined, 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.
“Food insecurity is not a distant problem—it is present in every community in Northeast Tennessee,” said Rhonda Chafin, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee (SHFBNT). “The data helps us understand the scale of need in Northeast Tennessee, knowing that behind every number is a child, a family, a senior, a veteran, a neighbor working hard to make ends meet. When we listen to their experiences and act together, we can ensure they have lasting food security.”
The study’s findings provide a compelling picture of how food insecurity affects communities across America. Behind the statistics are the quiet, difficult choices neighbors shared in the 2024 Elevating Voices: Insights Report, describing how the rising costs of housing and other basic necessities made it harder to afford the nutritious food their families needed. In Northeast Tennessee, where the 2024 population was nearly 526,000 across the eight-county region served by SHFBNT, an estimated 98,360 individuals (18.6% or 1 in 5)—including 23,580 children (24% or 1 in 4)—experienced food insecurity in 2024.
Other key findings of Map the Meal Gap include:
Food Insecurity by Geography and Demographics:
- 100% of counties and congressional districts are home to people experiencing food insecurity. In Northeast Tennessee, food insecurity among all individuals ranges from a low of 18.1% in Sullivan and Washington Counties, to a high of 20% in Johnson County and 24.8% in Hancock County, with Carter, Greene, Hawkins, and Unicoi Counties ranging between 18.4% and 19.7%. Rural counties have greater difficulty accessing the food needed to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Nationwide, 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity are in the South, and 86% of counties with the highest rate of food insecurity are rural. This is true in Tennessee, which sees counties with high levels of food insecurity, including Hancock and Johnson, right here in our region.
- Food insecurity also varies for different age groups. Among children, food insecurity in Northeast Tennessee ranges from a low of 21.3% in Washington County to a high of 30.4% in Hancock County and 29.4% in Johnson County. Meanwhile, in Tennessee, the food insecurity rate among seniors age 60+ is 6.9% and, among older adults age 50-59, the rate is 13.1%.
- Food insecurity is experienced by people from all backgrounds and demographics, but disparities exist. Most people experiencing food insecurity are white/non-Hispanic. Individuals who are Black or Latino often face disproportionately higher rates. In Tennessee, available data by race/ethnicity shows that 13% of white individuals, 29% of Black individuals, and 18% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2024.
Food security and income:
- Nationally, half of all people experiencing food insecurity may not qualify for SNAP benefits because their incomes exceed eligibility limits. In Northeast Tennessee, an estimated 40% of individuals experiencing food insecurity may not qualify for SNAP, while 80% of children do qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
Food spending and prices:
- In 2024, people in food-insecure households across the US reported needing an additional $23.16 per person, per week to have just enough money to cover their food needs. This translated to $33.7 billion across all 47.9 million individuals in food-insecure households nationwide. Residents of Northeast Tennessee feel this firsthand, with an estimated food budget shortfall of $71.5 million across the eight-county region annually.
- Individuals who were food secure in 2024 reported spending an average of $3.70 per meal. Meal costs vary significantly by county throughout the nation, ranging from $2.56 to $6.28, showcasing the diverse economic challenges faced by communities. In Northeast Tennessee, the average cost per meal is $3.77, which reflects the growing need we see at the Food Bank.
As of 2025, the USDA has stopped collecting food security data, but Feeding America will continue to estimate local food insecurity and meal costs. To accomplish this goal, Feeding America is collaborating as a nationwide network of food banks (including SHFBNT), food pantries, statewide associations and regional co-ops—in partnership with a variety of partners—to explore alternative data sources from which to estimate local food insecurity in 2027 and beyond. The 2026 Map the Meal Gap report is based on 2024 data, the most recent year for which comprehensive information is available.
The 2026 report marks the 16th annual edition of the study. The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. Additional key takeaways from the report can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map that details food insecurity by geography, income, race and ethnicity.
Methodology:
Map the Meal Gap uses publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau , and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district , and state levels. The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country.
To learn how food insecurity impacts your community, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap.