More American Families Are Going Hungry, New Research Shows

More American families are struggling to put food on the table, according to new research released Wednesday by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Researchers found that food insecurity has climbed sharply since the early months of the pandemic. In February, 10 percent of households surveyed said they did not have enough food, up from just 4 percent in mid-2020. That more than doubling comes as lower-income households, families with young children, and people with less education report the greatest strain.

The research also found that more people are turning to outside help to get by. More respondents reported receiving food assistance and relying on donations, while others said they were dipping into savings just to cover everyday expenses like groceries.