Food Insecurity Soars in 2022 as Inflation and Lost Benefits Take Toll

Food insecurity rose sharply in 2022, with 17 million households reporting problems affording food. This is up from 13.5 million in 2021.

The increase is attributed to high inflation and the end of pandemic-era government aid programs.

There were increases across multiple categories of food hardship, including 6.8 million households with "very low food security."

The expiration of universal free school lunches for all students is seen as a major factor.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack called the rising food insecurity levels "unacceptable" and a "wake-up call."