Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Massachusetts
Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Massachusetts
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 counties in Massachusetts with the highest rate of food insecurity using data from Feeding America. Counties are ranked by highest percent of population with food insecurity as of 2019.
#14. Norfolk County
- Food insecurity rate: 5.9% (41,100 total)
--- 45.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 4.6% (6,810 total)
--- 68.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $27,863,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.97
#13. Plymouth County
- Food insecurity rate: 6.1% (31,400 total)
--- 44.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 7.7% (8,640 total)
--- 47.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,406,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.99
#12. Middlesex County
- Food insecurity rate: 6.4% (102,660 total)
--- 41.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 4.9% (15,580 total)
--- 66.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $73,339,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.18
#11. Barnstable County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.1% (15,160 total)
--- 34.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.6% (3,110 total)
--- 34.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,689,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.51
#10. Nantucket County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.4% (830 total)
--- 32.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 9.5% (220 total)
--- 34.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $543,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.83
#9. Dukes County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.4% (1,280 total)
--- 32.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 8.2% (260 total)
--- 43.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $851,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.89
#8. Essex County
- Food insecurity rate: 7.6% (59,740 total)
--- 30.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 8.4% (14,150 total)
--- 42.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $39,668,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.88
#7. Hampshire County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.0% (12,850 total)
--- 26.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 7.7% (1,850 total)
--- 47.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $9,235,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.20
#6. Worcester County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.2% (67,240 total)
--- 24.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 8.8% (15,380 total)
--- 39.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $42,568,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.70
#5. Franklin County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (6,390 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 10.2% (1,260 total)
--- 30.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,283,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.92
#4. Berkshire County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (12,360 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.3% (2,660 total)
--- 15.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,928,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.75
#3. Bristol County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (54,720 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.1% (14,060 total)
--- 17.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $33,386,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.57
#2. Suffolk County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (84,280 total)
--- 2.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (19,000 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $62,202,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.32
#1. Hampden County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (50,820 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (15,410 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $29,180,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.36
