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 Florida 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. Florida has a child food insecurity rate of 15.7%, which ranks #16 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 Florida.
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#50. Alachua County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (7,570 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (33,350 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $20,386,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.80
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#49. Pinellas County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (24,690 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (118,890 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $72,458,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.79
3 / 50
#48. Manatee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (11,350 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.2% (44,000 total)
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $25,977,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.67
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#47. Flagler County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (3,040 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.5% (12,990 total)
--- 0.3% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,964,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.81
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#46. Monroe County
- Child food insecurity rate: 15.9% (1,830 total)
--- 0.2% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.3% (8,520 total)
--- 0.5% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,452,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.70
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#45. Indian River County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (4,060 total)
--- 0.0% lower than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.2% (17,650 total)
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $10,940,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.85
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#44. Hillsborough County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.3% (52,680 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (165,220 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $95,642,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.60
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#43. Gulf County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (360 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.6% (1,900 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,084,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.54
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#42. Lee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (22,180 total)
--- 0.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.2% (84,750 total)
--- 0.6% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $49,751,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.65
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#41. Bay County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (6,350 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (23,830 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,591,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.54
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#40. Palm Beach County
- Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (47,860 total)
--- 0.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.6% (157,710 total)
--- 1.2% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $102,238,000
--- Cost per meal: $4.03
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#39. Leon County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.3% (9,390 total)
--- 1.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.0% (34,920 total)
--- 0.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $20,675,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.68
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#38. Columbia County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.4% (2,670 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.2% (9,330 total)
--- 1.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $4,779,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.18
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#37. Calhoun County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (510 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (2,000 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,037,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
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#36. Glades County
- Child food insecurity rate: 17.7% (370 total)
--- 1.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (1,710 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $812,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#35. Charlotte County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.0% (4,040 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (24,000 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $13,586,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.52
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#34. Hernando County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (6,380 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (26,250 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $14,077,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.33
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#33. Levy County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (1,450 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (6,060 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,109,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
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#32. Miami-Dade County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (100,680 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (291,150 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $180,040,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.84
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#31. Volusia County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (17,500 total)
--- 2.1% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.9% (70,350 total)
--- 1.1% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $40,810,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.60
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#30. Lake County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.3% (12,480 total)
--- 2.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.4% (44,100 total)
--- 0.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $25,112,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.54
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#29. Okeechobee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.4% (1,630 total)
--- 2.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (5,270 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,655,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.13
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#28. Dixie County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (570 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (2,450 total)
--- 2.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,257,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.19
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#27. Liberty County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (280 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (1,280 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $631,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.06
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#26. Suwannee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 18.7% (1,770 total)
--- 2.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.8% (5,650 total)
--- 1.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,913,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20
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#25. Holmes County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.3% (760 total)
--- 3.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (3,170 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,543,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
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#24. Broward County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (79,620 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 10.8% (210,540 total)
--- 1.0% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $127,592,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.76
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#23. St. Lucie County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (12,330 total)
--- 3.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.7% (37,400 total)
--- 0.1% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $20,561,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.41
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#22. Duval County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.6% (41,980 total)
--- 3.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.2% (115,780 total)
--- 0.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $64,630,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.47
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#21. Escambia County
- Child food insecurity rate: 19.7% (13,020 total)
--- 3.6% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 12.7% (40,300 total)
--- 0.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $21,934,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.38
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#20. Hardee County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (1,430 total)
--- 4.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (3,860 total)
--- 2.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,836,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#19. Citrus County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (4,440 total)
--- 4.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (21,940 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $12,828,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.63
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#18. Jackson County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (1,800 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.7% (6,520 total)
--- 1.9% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $3,381,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
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#17. Marion County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.6% (13,880 total)
--- 4.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.1% (47,350 total)
--- 1.3% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $25,590,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.36
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#16. Orange County
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#15. Polk County
- Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (32,430 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (93,610 total)
--- 1.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $50,770,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.37
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#14. Washington County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.0% (1,020 total)
--- 4.9% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (4,070 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,981,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.02
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#13. Bradford County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (1,160 total)
--- 5.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (4,150 total)
--- 3.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,112,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.16
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#12. Sumter County
- Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (2,010 total)
--- 5.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 11.4% (14,800 total)
--- 0.4% lower than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $8,992,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.77
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#11. Jefferson County
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#10. DeSoto County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.1% (1,590 total)
--- 6.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (5,690 total)
--- 3.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,959,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.23
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#9. Hendry County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.3% (2,480 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (6,210 total)
--- 3.2% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $2,948,000
--- Cost per meal: $2.95
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#8. Osceola County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.3% (19,840 total)
--- 6.2% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (50,030 total)
--- 2.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $26,333,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.27
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#7. Franklin County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.4% (420 total)
--- 6.3% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (1,760 total)
--- 3.0% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $911,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.22
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#6. Highlands County
- Child food insecurity rate: 22.5% (3,970 total)
--- 6.4% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (14,820 total)
--- 2.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $7,991,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.35
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#5. Putnam County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.1% (3,800 total)
--- 8.0% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (11,930 total)
--- 4.4% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $6,267,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.26
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#4. Taylor County
- Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (1,040 total)
--- 8.7% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (3,330 total)
--- 3.5% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,644,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.07
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#3. Hamilton County
- Child food insecurity rate: 25.9% (710 total)
--- 9.8% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (2,390 total)
--- 4.8% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,232,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.20
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#2. Madison County
- Child food insecurity rate: 26.6% (900 total)
--- 10.5% higher than national average
- Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (3,070 total)
--- 4.7% higher than national average
- Annual food budget shortfall: $1,602,000
--- Cost per meal: $3.24
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#1. Gadsden County
