Parishes with the highest rate of food insecurity in Louisiana
Every county in the United States is home to people experiencing food insecurity, defined by the nonprofit Feeding America as "a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life."
The USDA estimates that 89.5% of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2019—that's 116.0 million people. The COVID-19 pandemic put further strain on households already experiencing food hardship, with Feeding America estimating that 42 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, may experience food insecurity in 2021. This is a slight improvement from 2020 numbers but still represents an enormous burden for millions of children and adults.
Stacker compiled a list of parishes in Louisiana with the highest rate of food insecurity using data from Feeding America. Parishes are ranked by highest percent of population with food insecurity as of 2019.
#50. Bossier Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (17,860 total)
--- 29.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.5% (6,160 total)
--- 33.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,197,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01
#49. St. Martin Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (7,600 total)
--- 30.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.7% (2,960 total)
--- 55.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,003,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08
#48. Calcasieu Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (28,710 total)
--- 30.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (10,530 total)
--- 43.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $15,747,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21
#47. Lafourche Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (14,110 total)
--- 32.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (4,490 total)
--- 34.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,523,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.12
#46. Union Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (3,230 total)
--- 33.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.2% (1,240 total)
--- 72.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,600,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
#45. Iberville Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (4,800 total)
--- 33.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.0% (1,800 total)
--- 78.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,504,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#44. Plaquemines Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 14.7% (3,440 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (1,200 total)
--- 34.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,891,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
#43. Allen Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (3,880 total)
--- 38.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (1,170 total)
--- 40.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,922,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
#42. Beauregard Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (5,730 total)
--- 42.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.8% (1,820 total)
--- 35.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,862,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
#41. LaSalle Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (2,320 total)
--- 43.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.0% (670 total)
--- 30.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,108,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
#40. Vermilion Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (9,320 total)
--- 43.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (3,130 total)
--- 39.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,786,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00
#39. Orleans Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 15.8% (61,940 total)
--- 45.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.2% (20,540 total)
--- 79.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $37,399,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.53
#38. Terrebonne Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (17,870 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.9% (6,260 total)
--- 50.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,569,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
#37. Catahoula Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (1,560 total)
--- 46.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.0% (530 total)
--- 71.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $751,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82
#36. Jefferson Davis Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (5,040 total)
--- 46.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.0% (1,670 total)
--- 43.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,541,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
#35. Rapides Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.0% (20,910 total)
--- 46.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.5% (7,660 total)
--- 61.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,998,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.80
#34. Sabine Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (3,880 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.9% (1,190 total)
--- 43.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,921,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
#33. Caddo Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (39,750 total)
--- 48.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.2% (16,030 total)
--- 86.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $20,957,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.08
#32. St. Bernard Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (7,540 total)
--- 49.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.8% (2,830 total)
--- 56.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,098,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18
#31. Iberia Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (11,750 total)
--- 49.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.6% (4,830 total)
--- 75.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,856,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
#30. Red River Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,410 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.2% (570 total)
--- 86.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $727,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
#29. St. Mary Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (8,430 total)
--- 51.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.2% (2,860 total)
--- 58.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,378,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.04
#28. Assumption Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (3,730 total)
--- 52.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.6% (1,270 total)
--- 75.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,997,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
#27. De Soto Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (4,550 total)
--- 53.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.6% (1,720 total)
--- 75.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,211,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84
#26. Tangipahoa Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.7% (22,080 total)
--- 53.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.1% (8,470 total)
--- 78.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $12,545,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.32
#25. Grant Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (3,760 total)
--- 54.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.4% (1,030 total)
--- 53.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,834,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.85
#24. St. Landry Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (13,990 total)
--- 54.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.2% (6,080 total)
--- 86.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,035,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94
#23. Ouachita Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (26,360 total)
--- 56.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.3% (10,270 total)
--- 80.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,132,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91
#22. Winn Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (2,480 total)
--- 58.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.5% (690 total)
--- 61.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,249,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
#21. Pointe Coupee Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 17.3% (3,810 total)
--- 58.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.3% (1,340 total)
--- 87.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,984,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#20. Concordia Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 17.5% (3,450 total)
--- 60.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.5% (1,290 total)
--- 88.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,665,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82
#19. Vernon Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 17.7% (8,770 total)
--- 62.4% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.9% (2,850 total)
--- 56.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,566,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#18. Caldwell Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 17.8% (1,770 total)
--- 63.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.5% (590 total)
--- 74.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $879,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.91
#17. Lincoln Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (8,480 total)
--- 64.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.8% (2,550 total)
--- 83.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,556,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14
#16. Jackson Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (2,870 total)
--- 66.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.9% (950 total)
--- 91.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,440,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94
#15. Acadia Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 18.2% (11,390 total)
--- 67.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.0% (4,250 total)
--- 78.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $5,956,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
#14. Avoyelles Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 18.4% (7,480 total)
--- 68.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.9% (2,580 total)
--- 84.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,729,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.92
#13. Washington Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 18.8% (8,720 total)
--- 72.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 27.7% (3,100 total)
--- 89.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,615,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10
#12. Bienville Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (2,580 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.1% (920 total)
--- 106.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,334,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
#11. Morehouse Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.0% (4,860 total)
--- 74.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.1% (1,880 total)
--- 106.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,302,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77
#10. Richland Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.1% (3,880 total)
--- 75.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.2% (1,500 total)
--- 113.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,913,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88
#9. Webster Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.2% (7,520 total)
--- 76.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.1% (2,670 total)
--- 106.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,947,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
#8. West Carroll Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.3% (2,130 total)
--- 77.1% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.1% (710 total)
--- 92.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,057,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.90
#7. Claiborne Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.7% (3,150 total)
--- 80.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 32.1% (930 total)
--- 119.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,584,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.94
#6. Natchitoches Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.7% (7,640 total)
--- 80.7% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 28.1% (2,610 total)
--- 92.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,831,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.93
#5. Tensas Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (910 total)
--- 82.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 36.2% (390 total)
--- 147.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $471,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.03
#4. Franklin Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 19.9% (4,020 total)
--- 82.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 31.8% (1,640 total)
--- 117.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,862,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.71
#3. Evangeline Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 21.5% (7,230 total)
--- 97.2% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 30.5% (2,550 total)
--- 108.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,649,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
#2. Madison Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 21.8% (2,460 total)
--- 100.0% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 36.4% (980 total)
--- 149.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,189,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.83
#1. East Carroll Parish
- Food insecurity rate: 24.7% (1,750 total)
--- 126.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 43.9% (560 total)
--- 200.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $858,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.87
