A new report released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Wednesday revealed a stark increase in food insecurity across households in the country. The report showed that in 2022, a staggering 17 million households, or 12.8%, experienced difficulties in accessing an adequate supply of food due to limited resources. This marks a significant rise from the previous year, where 13.5 million households, or 10.2%, faced food insecurity.

The findings of the report also highlighted the alarming increase in food insecurity among families with children. In 2022, close to 9% of households with children, or 3.3 million households, were unable to provide sufficient and nutritious food for their children at times. This is a concerning surge from the 6.2% (2.3 million households) recorded in 2021.

Within this number, there were 381,000 households with children who experienced very low food security, a statistically significant increase from the 0.7% (274,000 households) registered in 2021. The report defined very low food security as instances where children were hungry, skipped meals, or went an entire day without eating due to limited financial resources.

The impact of food insecurity among households with children is particularly worrisome, as it highlights the vulnerability and lack of access to nutritious meals for the most vulnerable members of society. These findings interrupt a long-term trend of declining hunger in the United States, as previous reports from food banks and the U.S. Census Bureau had indicated.

Food insecurity, coupled with the ongoing challenges of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and the expiration of expanded food assistance, has exacerbated the situation for low-income individuals. The hardships faced by these households have hindered progress in combating hunger and ensuring food security for all.

The USDA report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address food insecurity in the United States. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle faced by millions of households, who rely on accessible and affordable food to meet their basic needs. Efforts from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and communities are crucial in alleviating food insecurity and ensuring that no one goes hungry in the country.

As the nation grapples with the consequences of rising food insecurity, it is essential to prioritize policies that promote equitable access to healthy and nutritious food for all, especially among households with children. Only by addressing the root causes of food insecurity can we work towards a society where every individual has the basic human right of access to sufficient food.