Report: 40% of Massachusetts households experiencing food insecurity – more than double the rate of 2019

BY ALISON KUZNITZ

Food insecurity reached a record high last year, leading to worse health outcomes as households simultaneously grappled with housing and utility costs.

Some 40% of Massachusetts households, or 1.12 million people, experienced food insecurity at some point over the past 12 months, according to a report released Tuesday by the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham. That compares to 37% in 2024 and 19% in 2019.

About 700,000 households in 2025 experienced “very low food security,” which happens when a person must skip meals or not eat all day because they cannot afford food. The report is based on a survey of more than 3,000 adults from October to December.

Over the past six years, Hispanic households have dealt with the highest rates of food insecurity, with levels reaching 63% in 2025, according to the report.

“The data clearly shows that hunger in Massachusetts is on the rise,” said Dr. Lauren Fiechtner, a Mass General Brigham division chief and senior health and research advisor at the food bank. “Our results are sobering: more people are struggling, and while they report accessing food and nutrition assistance programs like food pantries, SNAP and WIC, they also say these programs are not enough.”

Some 75% of families receiving SNAP benefits said they still need additional support. Recipients could soon face bigger challenges as funding cuts and work requirements take effect under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The report suggests bolstering state funding for SNAP, with an aim of decreasing a payment error rate that could cost Massachusetts around $350 million annually.

Just over half of residents were also relying on charitable food and nutrition assistance programs for at least half of their groceries, according to the report.

Households experiencing food insecurity on average said they needed an additional $500 monthly to meet their basic expenses. The report found 46% of food insecure households had trouble paying for heat and electricity, and only about one in two households had stable housing.

Nearly eight in 10 adults living in food insecure households had at least one chronic medical condition, such as obesity, diabetes, dental or gum disease, cardiovascular disease and mental health issues. Among those who had to forgo care, 67% reported skipping prescriptions and 40% skipped dental care.

In food insecure households with children, 21% of people reported times when their child couldn’t access medical or dental care due to costs.

Individuals in food insecure households were twice as likely to go to the emergency department or be hospitalized, the report found.

“The estimated excess costs of hospitalization associated with food insecurity were up to $13,257 per adult,” the report said. “In 2025, food insecurity was associated with up to $1.6 billion in emergency room visits and hospitalizations among adult MassHealth members.”

The report calls for boosting funding for the Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program — which provides direct support to the Greater Boston Food Bank that’s then distributed to other food banks and pantries around the state — to $58 million. Gov. Maura Healey has proposed funding the account at $55 million in fiscal 2027.

Other recommendations entail ramping up “food is medicine” initiatives that are aimed at preventing and treating “diet-related illnesses,” strengthening food insecurity screenings and referrals for people to connect with support programs, and investing in local food systems.

Researchers, alongside U.S. Reps. Jim McGovern and Ayanna Pressley, will discuss the report’s findings Tuesday morning at Massachusetts General Hospital.