2023 US Household Food Security Report: Insights from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service has released its annual Household Food Security Report for the United States. The findings reveal that in 2023, while 86.5 percent of households maintained food security throughout the year, a significant 13.5 percent—equating to 18 million households—faced challenges concerning the availability, quality, or variety of food at some point during the year. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued a statement in response to the report’s results:

“The report highlights a concerning trend tied to Congressional decisions that undermine the future of our children and weaken the support systems that working families depend on during tough times. This includes actions like blocking the expansion of the Child Tax Credit and increasing restrictions on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Initiatives such as the enhanced Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and boosted SNAP benefits played a crucial role in reducing the poverty rate to an unprecedented low of 8 percent in 2021. Instead of dismantling these achievements, we should collaborate to further strengthen them.

Interestingly, food insecurity rates remained constant among households with children compared to the previous year. This underscores the effectiveness of various programs designed to provide nutrition to children, such as the National School Lunch Program—which offers many children their most nutritious meal of the day—the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which supports over 6 million mothers, children, and infants; along with SNAP, which serves as the nation’s leading anti-hunger initiative and was utilized by more than half of food-insecure households last year. It is imperative that we not only maintain but enhance these programs. Furthermore, USDA will promote the adoption of the evidence-based SUN Bucks program in states, which was initiated in 2024 to assist in feeding children during the summer months when school is not in session and food insecurity tends to increase. Increasing enrollment in SNAP and ensuring full funding for WIC are also essential. The consequences of failing to act are evident, and we owe it to future generations to provide them with the best possible foundation for a healthy life.

It is unacceptable for anyone to experience hunger in America. Today’s report stresses that proposed reductions in food assistance—including cuts to SNAP in the upcoming Farm Bill—are misguided and do not align with the realities faced by working families.”

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