Over a Third of Rhode Islanders are Facing Food Insecurity, According to a New Survey

The report also shows that food insecurity in the state is at a five-year high. People of color are among the most affected demographics

“The cost of everything is so high right now, it's all adding up for people: basic necessities, the cost of rent, the cost of utilities, of food in the store, child care,” said Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the organization which released the data.
“The cost of everything is so high right now, it’s all adding up for people: basic necessities, the cost of rent, the cost of utilities, of food in the store, child care,” said Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the organization which released the data.
Alex Nunes / The Public’s Radio
Share
“The cost of everything is so high right now, it's all adding up for people: basic necessities, the cost of rent, the cost of utilities, of food in the store, child care,” said Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the organization which released the data.
“The cost of everything is so high right now, it’s all adding up for people: basic necessities, the cost of rent, the cost of utilities, of food in the store, child care,” said Kate MacDonald, a spokesperson for Rhode Island Community Food Bank, the organization which released the data.
Alex Nunes / The Public’s Radio
Over a Third of Rhode Islanders are Facing Food Insecurity, According to a New Survey
Copy

A report from the Brown University School of Public Health and Blue Cross Blue Shield Rhode Island shows that 38% of Rhode Island households– a five-year high – are experiencing food insecurity. Food insecurity is more prevalent for families of color than white families, with 55% of Rhode Island Latino households and 47% of Black households experiencing food insecurity, compared with 33% of white households, according to the new report.

It’s a 111% increase from the year 2021, when 18% of households in Rhode Island were experiencing food insecurity. The authors of the report consider people to be food insecure if at least some of the time they say they worry about or lack funds to buy food.

This story was reported by The Public’s Radio. You can read the entire story here.

The special election for Ward 2 was triggered by Helen Anthony’s retirement
Rhode Island’s SNAP program reveals sharp contrasts — from record-high enrollment to looming cuts that could deepen food insecurity
A coalition of mostly Rhode Island nonprofits and cities is urging a federal judge to require the Trump administration to issue full SNAP benefits, not the partial payments announced earlier this week
Believe it or not, there can be pretty significant carbon emissions from your pet’s food. This week on Possibly, we explain why, and show some easy ways to reduce your pet’s carbon “pawprint”
Following a federal judge’s order in Providence, the Trump administration says it will resume SNAP payments — but recipients will get only about half of their usual benefits