A new study shows an estimated one in five Northeast Louisianans are struggling to put food on the table amidst elevated food prices.

According to Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, an estimated 63,740 people are food insecure in Northeast Louisiana, including 24,310 (one in three) children, while the average cost per meal in the region increased from $3.25 to $3.58.

The Map the Meal Gap study provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every parish and congressional district. The study builds upon the USDA’s latest report of national and state data, which showed a sharp increase in food insecurity in 2022 during historically high food prices and the expiration of many pandemic-era programs.

“The insights from this study confirm high food prices are impacting our neighbors who are on low, fixed incomes,” said Jean Toth, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana.

The study also shows Louisiana as having the fourth highest overall food insecurity rate in the nation at 16.9 percent, behind Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama.

“With the high cost of groceries and living expenses, too many people in our community simply do not have enough money to cover the cost of their groceries,” said Toth.

The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana provides food assistance to thousands of people each month through its programs and network of Community Partners who operate food pantries and meal programs.

Visit foodbanknela.org/hunger to earn more about hunger in your parish and how you can help.

For those in need of food assistance, contact the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana at 318-322-3567. 

To learn more about Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, visit https://map.feedingamerica.org/