Child food insecurity is a pervasive issue affecting every county in the United States, with rates nearing 50% in some areas, according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study.
The report highlights that one in five children in Nevada faces hunger, underscoring the widespread nature of the crisis.
Nicole Lamboley, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, said, “We are not surprised that the data shows child hunger as a significant issue across the country because we are seeing it every day, right here, in our region.”
The study, now in its 15th year, is the only one providing local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. It builds on the USDA’s recent report indicating that 47 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2023, marking the highest rate in over a decade.
“Hunger remains an urgent crisis in northern Nevada and this is why we are so concerned about these drastic cuts to SNAP being debated in congress,” Lamboley said. “Food Banks cannot make up for these lost supports and children, seniors and families will be the ones impacted.”
The report reveals that nearly 9 out of 10 high food insecurity counties nationwide are rural, with Nevada’s rural counties like Mineral and Eureka experiencing food insecurity rates above 17%. Child hunger is notably higher in rural Nevada counties, with Eureka at 30% and Mineral at 27%.
Nationally, more than two out of five people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In Nevada, 38% of those facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP, despite 505,000 Nevadans currently using the benefits.
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