Feeding America study shows an increase in child food insecurity in Cass County

Last Updated on May 31, 2025 by Cass County Communication Network

Child food insecurity affects every county in the United States. At the local level, Map the Meal Gap finds that 1 in 5 children in Food Finders Food Bank’s 16-county service area are experiencing food insecurity. The service area-wide numbers are mirrored in Cass County, with 1 in 6, or 18.1%, of children experiencing food insecurity.

Map the Meal Gap, now in its 15th year, is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. The study builds upon USDA’s most recent national and state data report, which showed 47 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2023, the highest rate in over a decade. Map the Meal Gap emphasizes the need for the public to join the movement to end hunger.

“Leveraging the data in this year’s study will help us address challenges shared with us by people facing hunger and identify local ways to support our community,” said Kier Crites Muller, President/CEO of Food Finders.

“Hunger remains an urgent crisis throughout our 16-county service area. When we listen to our neighbors facing hunger and use the study’s findings, we can unite to create a future where everyone, including children, can access the nutritious food they need to thrive. This mission becomes even more critical as threats to vital social safety net programs like SNAP, TEFAP, and Medicaid could worsen food insecurity for our most vulnerable populations, particularly children who rely on these essential services,” added Crites Muller.

Food Finders is thankful to our agency partners in Cass County for being an essential partner in the fight against hunger. Their determination and countless volunteer hours have a tangible impact on our communities.

Together, we are building a stronger community where no one goes without; the collective impact we are making would not be possible without them.

Other key findings of Map the Meal Gap include:

• Overall, food insecurity rates increased in Cass County, with 15.8%, or 1 in 7 residents experiencing food insecurity.
• Nationally, more than 2 out of 5 people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. In Cass County, 46% of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP

Food Insecurity by Geography and Demographics:

• Food insecurity impacts communities in every county, parish and congressional district in the U.S. Food insecurity is experienced by people from all backgrounds and demographics, but disparities exist.
• Estimated food insecurity levels vary across the country, influenced by income-related factors, like unemployment, poverty, high cost of living, community- and health-related factors, and systemic barriers to opportunity that have created disparities in food insecurity.
• Nationwide, nearly 9 out of 10 high food insecurity counties are rural, indicating regional disparities.
• Food Finders serves communities with food insecurity ranging from 13% in Clinton County to 16.7% in Miami County.
• Food insecurity also varies for different age groups. Among children, food insecurity in Food Finders 16-county service area ranges from 14.2% in Clinton County to 23.4% in Howard County.
• In Food Finders’ 16-county service area, available data by race/ethnicity shows that 14% of white individuals, 33% of Black individuals, and 24% of Latino individuals experienced food insecurity in 2023.

The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, and NielsenIQ/NIQ. Additional key takeaways from the report can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map that details food insecurity by geography, income, race and ethnicity.

Methodology:
Map the Meal Gap uses publicly available data from USDA Economic Research Service, U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics to estimate local food insecurity at the county, congressional district and state levels.

The study also estimates local meal costs and food budget shortfalls using food price data from NIQ, based on USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan, and grocery sales tax data for every county and state in the country.
To learn how food insecurity impacts your community, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap. For more information about Food Finders Food Bank and how to help end hunger in Cass County, visit food-finders.org.

SOURCE: News release from Food Finders

About Food Finders Food Bank
Food Finders Food Bank, a partner food bank of Feeding America, provides full-service programs addressing food insecurity across our 16-county service area. The food bank operates programs to secure donated and purchased food cost-effectively, provide food to families in need, and educate the community about the efficient use of food resources. Food Finders distributes over twelve million pounds of food annually throughout our service area.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.