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.

From Boston to Providence, New England’s historic athenaeums — including Rhode Island’s own Providence Athenaeum — continue to inspire book lovers with their timeless charm, rich collections, and sense of community in an increasingly digital world
The drastic scenario that emerges in one budget request document is a ‘no-go,’ McKee spokesperson says
Rhode Island state Rep. David Morales, an avid wrestler, shares why he thinks American politics may be borrowing too heavily from the WWE
But coverage outside the capitals can sometimes get spotty
Top municipal bond underwriter tapped to help Centurion lure investors in private placement sale
At Providence Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, martial arts isn’t just about self-defense or competition. It’s a gentle art that empowers kids and adults alike, fostering confidence, inclusion, and community from the mat to everyday life