Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Connecticut

Written by:
September 13, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Connecticut

Food insecurity is a widespread problem in the United States, with people experiencing food insecurity in every single county in the nation. The nonprofit Feeding America describes food insecurity as "a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life."

Food insecurity hits children particularly hard. The USDA estimates that more than 5.5 million children lived in food-insecure households in 2021. Not having consistent access to enough food can affect cognitive abilities, overall health, moods, and attention spans—not to mention the psychological effects of living with scarcity.

Stacker compiled a list of counties in Connecticut with the highest rate of food insecure children using data from Feeding America. Counties are ranked by highest percent of children with food insecurity as of 2020. Connecticut has a child food insecurity rate of 12.6%, which ranks #36 highest among all states.

States with the highest rate of food insecure children
#1. Louisiana: 21.5%
#2. New Mexico: 20.5%
#3. Mississippi: 20.4%
#4. Alabama: 19.8%
#5. Arkansas: 19.7%

States with the lowest rate of food insecure children
#1. North Dakota: 8.1%
#2. Massachusetts: 8.8%
#3. New Jersey: 9.0%
#4. Minnesota: 9.3%
#5. New Hampshire: 9.5%

Read on to see where food insecurity is most prevalent in Connecticut.

#8. Tolland County

- Child food insecurity rate: 7.6% (1,980 total)
--- 8.5% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (14,160 total)
--- 2.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,909,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.35

#7. Middlesex County

- Child food insecurity rate: 10.0% (2,880 total)
--- 6.1% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (15,900 total)
--- 2.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,341,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.04

#6. Litchfield County

- Child food insecurity rate: 10.5% (3,450 total)
--- 5.6% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (18,850 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $12,152,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.00

#5. Fairfield County

- Child food insecurity rate: 12.4% (26,200 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.1% (95,520 total)
--- 1.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $64,610,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.20

#4. Windham County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (3,520 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (14,930 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,268,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.44

#3. Hartford County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (29,660 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.6% (103,890 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $62,136,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.71

#2. New London County

- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (8,260 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (32,590 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,614,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.74

#1. New Haven County

- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (28,930 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (100,520 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $60,986,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.77

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