Food Insecurity 2026: NY Fed Data Shows 10% of Americans Skip Meals — Worse Than COVID Peak

# Food Insecurity 2026: NY Fed Data Shows 10% of Americans Skip Meals — Worse Than COVID Peak

> **Quick answer:** New York Federal Reserve research published May 27, 2026 found that 10% of U.S. households reported skipping meals or lacking enough food in February 2026 — more than double the 4% recorded at the COVID peak in June 2020. The crisis is concentrated in lower-income households, where nearly 20% face food insecurity, driven by persistent inflation, rising rents, and deep federal SNAP cuts that have removed more than 2.4 million people from food assistance programs.

Food insecurity in America is now measurably worse than it was during the worst months of the COVID-19 pandemic — and the NY Fed data behind that statement is hard to argue with. A new survey from Federal Reserve economists shows that food insecurity has more than doubled since 2020, with the bottom of the income ladder hit hardest while the top continues to gain wealth. Understanding what's driving this shift — and who is most at risk — is the first step toward knowing what to do.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or medical advice. If you or your household are facing food insecurity, resources listed below can help.*

## What the NY Fed Survey Actually Found

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York's Survey of Consumer Expectations is not a social advocacy poll. It is a monthly nationally representative survey of approximately 1,200 U.S. household heads, conducted since 2013, that the Fed uses to track economic conditions across the country. In October 2025 and February 2026, supplemental questions were added specifically to measure household food stress.