The latest Map the Meal Gap data from Feeding America reveals a troubling surge in food insecurity across Kentucky’s Heartland, with Caldwell County experiencing a 17.3 percent overall food insecurity rate, meaning one in six residents—totaling 2,190 individuals—lack adequate food.
In Caldwell County, the child food insecurity rate is 23.2 percent, affecting approximately one in four children, or 660 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.
Key findings of the study include:
Food insecurity in the Feeding America Kentucky Heartland service area ranges from 12.3% in Nelson County to 20.6% in Wayne County.
Warren and Hardin counties are among the top five in Kentucky for the highest number of food-insecure individuals.
Childhood food insecurity ranges from 15.7% in Nelson County to 34.5% in Fulton County.
Warren, Hardin, and Christian counties are among the top ten in the state for the highest number of food-insecure children.
Over 31% of food-insecure individuals in Caldwell County do not qualify for SNAP or other government assistance programs.
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 said Feeding America Kentucky Heartland and their Caldwell County partners continue to combat food insecurity despite reduced funding. Last year, officials noted they distributed 306,177 pounds of food in Caldwell County, providing over 255,147 meals in Caldwell County, valued at $504,935.
