38% of us are now food insecure. Another year, another increase. RI Food Bank’s annual report.

2024 STATUS REPORT ON HUNGER SHOWS STARTLING NEED IN RI – Food Insecurity Reaches Record High at 38% of Rhode Island households

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank released its 2024 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island, which shows a record high number of Rhode Island households are food insecure.

Major findings of the report include:

* 38% of Rhode Island households are food insecure, with higher rates among communities of color, according to the RI Life Index
* Low-income Rhode Islanders miss over 42 million meals each year
* The Rhode Island Community Food Bank and its statewide network of member agencies are serving a record number of people each month: 84,400

Rapid increases in the cost of rent, utilities, transportation, childcare, and health care have left many low-income and even moderate-income households unable to afford adequate food. According to the Economic Progress Institute, basic annual household expenses for a single-parent family with two children in Rhode Island reached $83,239 in 2024.

“This year, the Food Bank served an average of 84,000 people per month across 147 member agencies,” said Andrew Schiff, chief executive officer of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank. “Even with emergency assistance from our agencies, SNAP benefits and school lunches, low-income families still missed an estimated 42 million meals. That’s an unacceptable number and this holiday season we’re calling on Rhode Islanders to maintain strong support for the Food Bank and its member agencies.”

In fiscal year 2024, the Food Bank distributed 18.2 million pounds of nutritious pantry staples, produce, fresh meats and dairy, and culturally relevant foods, spending $8 million on food acquisition to keep pace with the high demand.

Read the full 2024 Status Report on Hunger in Rhode Island, below. Food insecurity data is from the RI Life Index, which was conducted in March and April 2024. It is an initiative of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and Brown University School of Public Health.

About the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank distributes food to 84,000 struggling Rhode Islanders each month through a statewide network of 147 member agencies including food pantries, meal sites, shelters, youth programs and senior centers. Last year, the Food Bank distributed over 18 million pounds of food, of which approximately 4.1 million pounds was fresh produce. The Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. For more information, visit www.rifoodbank.org.