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CENTRAL ILLINOIS (WCIA) — Rates of food insecurity rose in every county in the Eastern Illinois Foodbank’s (EIF) service area, according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study.
Map the Meal Gap provides local level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. The study, now in its 15th year, builds on the USDA’s national and state data, showing that 47 million people experienced food insecurity in 2023. This was the highest rate in more than a decade.
In the EIF’s area, more than 143,000 people — which is 13.3% of the population — live in food-insecure households. Out of those people, nearly 40,000 are children.
In EIF’s service area, rates of food insecurity include:
- Piatt (9.9%)
- Woodford (10.3%)
- Douglas (11.5%)
- McLean (11.7%)
- Cumberland (11.8%)
- Moultrie (11.8%)
- Tazewell (11.8%)
- Jasper (12%)
- Clark (12.1%)
- DeWitt (12.4%)
- Livingston (12.6%)
- Crawford (13.1%)
- Champaign (13.9%)
- Ford (13.9%)
- Edgar (14.3%)
- Iroquois (14.5%)
- Peoria (14.5%)
- Macon (14.6%)
- Vermilion (15.5%)
- Clay (15.8%)
- Coles (16.5%)
Data also shows that child food insecurity affects every county in the United States, with rates reaching almost 50% in some areas.
Nationwide, the study also found that nearly nine out 10 high food insecurity counties are rural. And, more than two out of five people facing hunger nationwide may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In Eastern Illinois, that number jumps to 44%, while 29% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals.
“The insights from this year’s study will help us address challenges shared with us by people facing hunger and identify opportunities to support the communities we serve and call home,” EIF President and CEO Kelly Daly said. “This is a powerful tool that empowers us to make informed decisions to effectively alleviate hunger at a time of historic need, and help ensure that all of our neighbors, including children, have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.”
