DES MOINES, Iowa (May 14, 2025) – 12% of Iowans (1 in 8) and 16.6% of Iowa children (1 in 6) face food insecurity. That’s according to Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study, out today. All 99 Iowa counties saw an increase in food insecurity in the latest report.
In Iowa, 385,130 persons do not know where they will find their next meal. That includes 120,220 children. The annual meal gap in Iowa is nearly 73 million meals. Additional money required to meet the state’s food needs would exceed $248.3 million.
The report released this week from Feeding America showed Hamilton County’s food insecurity rate at 11.2 percent or 1,670 residents affected.
In adjoining counties…..Boone County’s rate for food insecurity was 9.7 percent or 2,590 residents. Franklin County at 12.9 percent or 1,280 people affected. Hardin County at 11.8 percent or 1,980 residents. Story County at 11.5 percent or 11,350 residents. Webster County at 12.9 percent or 4,760 residents. Wright County at 13.1 percent or 1,680 residents affected with food insecurity.
The complete report is found online by clicking this link…. https:map/feedingamerica.org