The latest Map the Meal Gap data from Feeding America reveals a troubling surge in food insecurity across Kentucky’s Heartland.
In Lyon County, the overall food insecurity rate is 17 percent, meaning one in six residents – totaling 1,480 individuals – lack adequate food. This rate is 3.5 percent higher than the national average. The child insecurity rate in Lyon County stands at 23.9 percent, or about one in four children, affecting 290 kids.
In 2022, officials from Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland’s (FAKH) reported that 176,270 people in their 42-county service are were food insecure, an alarming increase of 35,250 individuals from the previous year.
Charles Dennis, Executive Director of the organization, said in a release that the annual Map the Meal Gap study provides key insights that help guide its initiatives and allocate resources where they are needed the most to combat insecurity effectively.
According to the data, 37,250 Kentuckians, including over 16,000 children, lost food security from 2021 to 2022. Officials said the Heartland region faces growing needs due to rising living costs, high food prices, and low wages.
Officials with Feeding America, Kentucky’s Heartland say their agency partners in Lyon County continue to address the elevated levels of food insecurity despite a reduction in funding and resources. Last year, the agency and their partners distributed 155,361 pounds of food, which provided enough food for over 129,467 meals in Lyon County, valued at $249,511.
