Food insecurity among American adults has nearly doubled since 2021, Axios reported on Sunday, citing data from Morning Consult. The striking statistic comes amid steep cuts to federal food assistance programs in the world’s largest economy, fueling concerns about the welfare of millions.
US President Donald Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” signed into law last week includes $230 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade. The legislation imposes stricter work requirements, extending mandates to individuals up to age 64 and reducing exemptions for parents.
The proportion of US adults reporting that they sometimes or often do not have enough to eat has been steadily rising in recent years, according to the survey.
In May, 15.6% of adults were classified as food insecure, nearly twice the rate recorded in 2021. At that time, expanded SNAP benefits and an enhanced Child Tax Credit had helped reduce poverty and increase access to food.
The increase in food insecurity comes as the US economy shows signs of strength and stock markets hit record highs.
John Leer, chief economist at Morning Consult, noted a problem: “There’s such a disconnect now between record highs on Wall Street and elevated levels of food insecurity.”
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