The Ten States Facing the Most Hunger

America has a hunger problem.

Between 2021 and 2024 (the most recent year with complete USDA data), the percentage of Americans experiencing food insecurity rose, from 10.2% to 13.7%. Cuts to SNAP benefits, the higher prices in the grocery store, and increases to the general cost of living have all worked to push more families to the breaking point.

While hunger affects every state, some have been hit harder than others. In Feed the Children’s home state of Oklahoma, hunger rose from 15.4% up to 16.9%. However, Oklahoma is not the state with the highest rate of hunger. In fact, five states are hungrier.

This list shows the 10 hungriest states, starting with the lowest percentage and ending with the #1 hungriest state.

And, the hungriest state, where nearly 1 in 5 people does not have enough to eat:

Mom Brianna lives in one of the top ten hungriest states. Her family has struggled with the rising price of food.

“We run out of food really fast,” she said. “It can be overwhelming and stressful sometimes, especially when they’re out of school for multiple days.”

She received food and household essentials from Feed the Children.

“With the rising price of groceries, any extra help is very beneficial. Thank you!”

No matter where they live, single-mother households are among those that suffer from hunger the most. Lyn is a single grandmother who adopted her two grandchildren. Her only source of income is social security, and it’s not always enough.

“Extra food can always help because times are hard. It’s hard to buy food. Things are getting so high,” Lyn said.

We met Lyn at a food distribution event where she got a 25-pound box of food and a 15-pound box of household essentials from Feed the Children.

“When someone offers, or hands out to people in need, it is just awesome. It’s just awesome because the kids, at least, they get something where they may not,” Lyn said. “I don’t want my kids to be hungry. I don’t want any child or anyone to be hungry. And there are no words to explain the feeling that you get when you know your children are going to have extra.”

Despite these challenges, YOU are making a difference! Your donations have given hope to families like Brianna’s and Lyn’s. Having food on the table when they weren’t sure where their next meal would come from is a precious gift. Thank you for your dedication to fighting hunger.