Food insecurity shot up last year with inflation and the end of pandemic-era aid, a new report says

By ASHRAF KHALIL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — An estimated 17 million households reported problems finding enough food last year. That’s a sharp jump from 2021 when boosted government aid helped ease the pandemic-induced economic shutdown. A new Department of Agriculture report released Wednesday paints a sobering picture of post-pandemic hardship with “statistically significant” increases in food insecurity. According to the survey, 12.8% reported occasional problems affording enough food — up from 10.2% in 2021 and 10.5% in 2020. Analysts and food security professionals point to the dual impact last year of high inflation and the gradual expiration of multiple pandemic-era government assistance measures.