AUBURN, Maine – Food insecurity continues to impact every county in the United States, with Maine holding the highest rate in child food insecurity, and second highest rate of overall food insecurity in New England, according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study. In 2023, one in seven Mainers (13.8 percent) and one in five children (20.6 percent) experienced food insecurity, marking the fourth consecutive year that food security has increased in Maine and underscoring persistent challenges statewide. Good Shepherd Food Bank is using this data to call attention to the urgent need for sustained efforts to end hunger.
“This year’s data reinforces what we hear every day from Mainers trying to put food on the table,” said Heather Paquette, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank.
“Food insecurity is an urgent challenge in every corner of our state, and the numbers remind us that too many children, families and older Mainers are still being left behind. We are committed to using this information to strengthen partnerships and drive solutions that move us closer to a Maine where everyone is food secure. We invite our neighbors across Maine to join us in making that vision a reality, whether through giving, volunteering, or advocating for policies that address the root causes of hunger.”
These troubling trends come at a time when federal resources are shrinking. Recent cuts to USDA food programs, combined with proposed threats to SNAP benefits, put key supports that families rely on at risk and weaken the safety net for many people in Maine. This decline in assistance highlights the urgent need for stronger policies and investments that keep hunger from rising further.
Other key findings of Map the Meal Gap include:
- Estimated food insecurity levels vary across the country and are influenced by a range of factors, including income-related challenges like unemployment, poverty, high cost of living; community- and health-related conditions; and barriers that prevent access to enough healthy food.
- Nationwide, nearly nine out of 10 high food insecurity counties are rural, indicating regional disparities. This is true in Maine, which sees high levels of food insecurity across our rural counties. In fact, the highest food insecurity rates of all New England counties are in Maine; Washington, Piscataquis, Aroostook, and Somerset.
- In Maine, food insecurity among all individuals ranges from a low of 11.6 percent in Cumberland County to a high of 18.1 percent in Washington County.
- Food insecurity also varies for different age groups. Among children, food insecurity in Maine ranges from a low of 15.8 percent in Cumberland County to a high of 27.3 percent in Washington County.
Income and Program Eligibility:
- Nationally, more than two out of five people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP benefits due to income limits. Here in Maine, Feeding America estimates that 42 percent of people facing hunger may not qualify for SNAP, and approximately 36 percent of kids experiencing food insecurity live in families that are not eligible for SNAP benefits.
Food Spending and Prices:
- The national food budget shortfall, which reflects the extra money that people who are food insecure report needing to cover their food needs, is $32 billion. This translates to $22.37 a week per person, on average. Mainers feel this firsthand, with an estimated food budget shortfall of $23.47.
- Mainers who were food secure in 2023 reported spending an average of $3.76 per meal. Meal costs vary significantly by county and throughout the nation, ranging from $2.60 to $6.09, showcasing the diverse economic challenges faced by communities and reflecting the growing need seen by Good Shepherd Food Bank.
Now in its 15th year, Map the Meal Gap is the only study offering county-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs nationwide. The report builds upon USDA data showing 47 million people—including 14 million children—experienced food insecurity in 2023, the highest rate in over a decade. Maine’s rising numbers highlight ongoing economic pressures and structural barriers that make accessing nutritious food difficult, especially in rural regions. More information, including an interactive map detailing food insecurity by geography, income, and race, can be found at www.feedingamerica.org/MaptheMealGap.