New data from Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study reveals that food insecurity affects every community in Georgia, with rural areas experiencing the highest rates. In 2024, 1 in 6 people in Georgia, including 1 in 5 children, faced food insecurity. The study highlights that 84% of counties with the highest food insecurity nationally are in the South, and Georgia is no exception. 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—are food insecure.
The study found that food insecurity rates vary significantly by county. In the Atlanta Community Food Bank's service area, rates range from a low of 10.2% in Henry County to a high of 20.9% in Heard County. Other counties with high food insecurity include Floyd, Polk, Haralson, Hall, Spalding, and Union. “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.
A key finding is that a majority of food-insecure individuals do not qualify for federal nutrition assistance. Approximately 64% of people experiencing food insecurity in Georgia have incomes too high to qualify for SNAP benefits. In the Food Bank's service area, more than 68% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP, up from 61% in 2023. Among children, 40% may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals, an increase from 32% in 2023. This gap leaves many families without a vital safety net as food prices remain high.
The study also highlights disparities by race and ethnicity. While most people experiencing food insecurity nationally are white non-Hispanic, 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.
Meal costs vary widely across counties. The average cost per meal for food-secure individuals nationally was $3.70 in 2024, but in Fulton County, Georgia, the average cost per meal is $4.68. Nationally, meal costs range from $2.56 to $6.28 per county, reflecting diverse economic challenges.
The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. More details can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website, which includes an interactive map showing food insecurity by geography, income, race, and ethnicity.
Although the USDA has stopped collecting food security data, Feeding America plans to continue estimating local food insecurity and meal costs. The organization is collaborating with a nationwide network of food banks, pantries, and partners to explore alternative data sources for future estimates. For more information about food insecurity in your community, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap. To learn how to help end hunger in metro Atlanta and North Georgia, visit acfb.org.
