Map the Meal Gap 2026

(Wallingford, CT) - Connecticut Foodshare is highlighting concerning new data from Feeding America’s 2026 Map the Meal Gap study, which shows that food insecurity continues to rise across the state, underscoring the growing need for charitable food assistance. 

Since last year, food insecurity in Connecticut has increased by 7%, bringing the overall food insecurity rate in the state to 15.3%. More than 560,000 individuals (1 in 7) are food insecure in Connecticut, including more than 137,000 (1 in 5) children. Since 2020, the food insecure population has increased by 54%. 

Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district in the United States. The 2026 study covers Connecticut’s data from 2024. These are the most up to date and comprehensive numbers available, as Map the Meal Gap uses data from the 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 latest Map the Meal Gap report confirms what we see every day across Connecticut," said Jason Jakubowski, President and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare. "More families, children, seniors, and working adults are turning to food assistance as they struggle to keep up with the rising cost of housing, groceries, and other basic necessities. While Connecticut Foodshare and our network of partners are working tirelessly to meet this growing need, hunger is a challenge that no single organization can solve alone. It will take continued investment, strong community partnerships, and public support to ensure every neighbor has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive. The state of Connecticut on a bi-partisan basis continues to be a national leader in their work to address this rising need in the face of continued federal cuts. We are so grateful for the state's investment in CTNAP this year, and we believe that with continued permanent investment we will be able to weather this storm.” 

“While Feeding America's data always lags behind, our modeling indicates a sustained statewide food insecurity rate of 15% through 2026,” said Tyler Kleykamp, Connecticut Foodshare’s Chief Data & Impact Officer. “Our analysis shows that Connecticut families continue to face extraordinary economic pressure, even as traditional economic indicators suggest the economy is performing well. Rising housing costs, persistently high grocery and gas prices, and continued changes to nutrition assistance programs mean that many working families simply cannot keep up." 

To view the full report, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap. 

Please note that this year marks the last year of the Map the Meal Gap study, because of the USDA's decision to stop tracking food insecurity data. While this decision is a major blow to tracking food insecurity data nationally, Connecticut Foodshare remains committed to collecting and publishing as much data as possible about the state of hunger in Connecticut.   

Moving forward, Feeding America is collaborating as a nationwide network of food banks, food pantries, state-wide associations and regional co-ops—in partnership with diverse partners—to explore alternative data sources from which to estimate local food insecurity in 2027 and beyond. 

ABOUT CONNECTICUT FOODSHARE:  

Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving the people of Connecticut and a partner food bank of Feeding America’s nationwide network. In Connecticut, more than 560,000 or 1 in 7 people are food insecure. That includes more than 137,000 or 1 in 5 children. Connecticut Foodshare distributes food to 450+ agency partners (food pantries, community kitchens, shelters) and more than 100 mobile food pantry locations. Visit ctfoodshare.org to learn more. 

MEDIA CONTACT:  
Ayah Galal
External Relations Manager
agalal@ctfoodshare.org