Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Hawaii

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September 13, 2022
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Counties with the highest rate of food insecure children in Hawaii

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 Hawaii 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. Hawaii has a child food insecurity rate of 16.6%, which ranks #11 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 Hawaii.

#5. Honolulu County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.2% (43,860 total)
--- 5.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (119,100 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $76,255,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.98

#4. Kalawao County

- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (0 total)
--- 5.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.4% (60 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $43,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.40

#3. Hawaii County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.7% (11,110 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (29,120 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $19,910,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.25

#2. Kauai County

- Child food insecurity rate: 25.7% (4,030 total)
--- 9.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (10,250 total)
--- 2.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,375,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.86

#1. Maui County

- Child food insecurity rate: 27.2% (9,890 total)
--- 11.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (25,980 total)
--- 3.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $18,403,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.40

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