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New data from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study shows that 14.5% of Maine residents experienced food insecurity in 2024, up from 13.8% the previous year. The findings highlight the increasing challenges families face as rising costs for housing, food and other essentials continue to outpace incomes according to a press release issued on July 31, 2026 by Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine.
The study estimates that more than 203,000 people in Maine, including nearly 50,600 children and more than 31,000 older adults (60+) experienced food insecurity. Child food insecurity in Maine remains the highest in New England.
The data also highlights the unique challenges facing rural communities. Washington County has the highest estimated food insecurity rate in New England at 18.8%, reflecting the barriers many rural households face in accessing affordable, nutritious food.
“Food insecurity touches every community in Maine,” said Heather Paquette, president of Good Shepherd Food Bank. “These numbers repreent our neighbors — children, older dults, working families, veterans and people doing everything they can to make ends meet. Whle the data show the scale of the challenge, they also reinforce the importance of continuing to work together to ensure everyone in Maine has reliable access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.”
The report also found that nearly half (45.9%) of Mainers experiencing food insecurity had incomes above the eligibility threshold for SNAP, meaming many households struggling to afford food may not quality for federal nutrition assistance. For these families, their local food pantry becomes an essential support.
While Map the Meal Gap provides the most reliable and up-to-date estimates of food insecurity, the data reflect conditions in 2024. Since then, rising costs and changes to federal nutrition programs have increased the need for food assistance, meaning the level of need today is likely today is likely even greater than those estimates indicate.
Additional findings from the 2024 Map the Meal Gap study include:
MORE than 203,000 Mainers experienced food insecurity, a 6% increase over 2023; NEARLY 50,000 children experienced food insecurity, the highest child food insecurity rate in New England; WASHINGTON COUNTY recorded the highest estimated food insecurity rate in New England at 18.8%; FOOD-INSECURE households in Maine faced an estimated annual food budget shortfall of more than $151 mlllion; THE average cost of a meal in Maine increased by $.16 to $3.92 in 2024.
Although the US Department of Agriculture is no longer collecting the data traditionally used to measure food insecurity, Feeding America will continue producing local food insecurity estimates through Map the Meal Gap by working with researchers and partners to identify alternative data sources for future analyses.
Good Shepherd Food Bank is Maine’s largest hunger-relief organization, working with a statewide network of community partners to proide nutritious food to people facing hunger while addresing the root causes of food insecurity. Through strategic partnerships, advocacy and innovative programs, Good Shepherd Food Bank is commited to creating a future where everyone in Maine has relilable ccess to the food they need. Learn more at: www.feedingmaine.org