Counties with the highest rate of food insecurity in Minnesota
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 Minnesota 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.
#50. Lac qui Parle County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.5% (570 total)
--- 22.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.3% (160 total)
--- 15.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $313,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21
#49. Nobles County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.5% (1,840 total)
--- 22.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.3% (790 total)
--- 8.9% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $905,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.88
#48. Clay County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.5% (5,360 total)
--- 22.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.9% (1,850 total)
--- 18.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,956,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23
#47. Renville County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.6% (1,250 total)
--- 21.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.5% (450 total)
--- 7.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $644,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.01
#46. Lake County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.8% (930 total)
--- 19.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.1% (260 total)
--- 3.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $493,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10
#45. Watonwan County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (980 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (400 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $525,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.14
#44. Otter Tail County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (5,190 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (1,730 total)
--- 6.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,454,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.77
#43. Stearns County
- Food insecurity rate: 8.9% (14,110 total)
--- 18.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.9% (5,110 total)
--- 4.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,475,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.10
#42. Kittson County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (390 total)
--- 17.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.6% (130 total)
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $215,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23
#41. Freeborn County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.0% (2,730 total)
--- 17.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (950 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,507,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23
#40. Lake of the Woods County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.1% (340 total)
--- 16.5% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.8% (130 total)
--- 15.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $186,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20
#39. Wilkin County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (580 total)
--- 15.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.1% (210 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $319,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21
#38. Blue Earth County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.2% (6,120 total)
--- 15.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 11.6% (1,540 total)
--- 20.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,301,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16
#37. Lincoln County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (530 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.6% (180 total)
--- 6.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $280,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09
#36. Chippewa County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (1,110 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 12.3% (340 total)
--- 15.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $560,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
#35. Faribault County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (1,280 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.8% (450 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $685,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
#34. Becker County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (3,170 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (1,260 total)
--- 4.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,821,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.36
#33. Mower County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (3,720 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.2% (1,410 total)
--- 2.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,781,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.80
#32. Benton County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.3% (3,750 total)
--- 14.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,330 total)
--- 9.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,504,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.91
#31. Yellow Medicine County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (920 total)
--- 13.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.4% (300 total)
--- 8.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $467,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.97
#30. Lyon County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.4% (2,420 total)
--- 13.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.9% (910 total)
--- 4.8% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,173,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.84
#29. Red Lake County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (380 total)
--- 12.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (150 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $209,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.21
#28. Cottonwood County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (1,070 total)
--- 12.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.4% (370 total)
--- 8.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $541,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
#27. Carlton County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.5% (3,380 total)
--- 12.8% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.0% (1,130 total)
--- 4.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,630,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82
#26. Traverse County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (320 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.8% (100 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $175,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
#25. Pennington County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (1,370 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (530 total)
--- 8.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $755,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
#24. Todd County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.6% (2,350 total)
--- 11.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (900 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,509,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.76
#23. Grant County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (580 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (200 total)
--- 5.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $293,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.96
#22. Pipestone County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (890 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.5% (340 total)
--- 0.7% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $457,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.00
#21. Polk County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (3,050 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.0% (1,140 total)
--- 2.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,736,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.33
#20. Morrison County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (3,220 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.4% (1,120 total)
--- 1.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,574,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.86
#19. Ramsey County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.7% (52,970 total)
--- 11.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (19,740 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $31,451,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.47
#18. Crow Wing County
- Food insecurity rate: 9.8% (6,280 total)
--- 10.1% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.3% (2,140 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,339,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.11
#17. Big Stone County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.1% (500 total)
--- 7.3% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 13.5% (140 total)
--- 7.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $304,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.55
#16. Kanabec County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.2% (1,640 total)
--- 6.4% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (570 total)
--- 13.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $921,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.28
#15. Cook County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.4% (560 total)
--- 4.6% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (130 total)
--- 8.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $301,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15
#14. Swift County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (990 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (350 total)
--- 13.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $512,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
#13. Hubbard County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (2,220 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (770 total)
--- 19.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,251,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.30
#12. St. Louis County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.5% (20,980 total)
--- 3.7% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (5,680 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $11,478,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20
#11. Martin County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (2,150 total)
--- 0.9% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (700 total)
--- 11.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,157,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.15
#10. Pine County
- Food insecurity rate: 10.9% (3,180 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (980 total)
--- 15.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,681,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.09
#9. Cass County
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (3,240 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.8% (1,220 total)
--- 35.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,866,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.37
#8. Itasca County
- Food insecurity rate: 11.1% (4,990 total)
--- 1.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.6% (1,670 total)
--- 20.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,404,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.82
#7. Mille Lacs County
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (2,940 total)
--- 4.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,120 total)
--- 23.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,400,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.79
#6. Aitkin County
- Food insecurity rate: 11.8% (1,870 total)
--- 8.3% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.0% (530 total)
--- 37.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $976,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.05
#5. Koochiching County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (1,580 total)
--- 15.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.1% (460 total)
--- 37.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $846,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
#4. Wadena County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (1,730 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (660 total)
--- 30.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $905,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
#3. Beltrami County
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (5,880 total)
--- 16.5% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (2,240 total)
--- 30.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,207,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
#2. Clearwater County
- Food insecurity rate: 13.6% (1,200 total)
--- 24.8% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.3% (470 total)
--- 45.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $667,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.25
#1. Mahnomen County
- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (830 total)
--- 37.6% higher than national average
- Child food insecurity rate: 23.1% (400 total)
--- 58.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $462,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26
