Kentucky, September 25, 2025

News Summary

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced it will discontinue its Annual Household Food Security Report, a vital resource for tracking hunger across the nation. This decision coincides with rising food insecurity in Kentucky, where over 375,000 households are struggling to access adequate food. Experts express concerns that halting this report may hinder effective responses to escalating food needs, especially as policymakers consider cuts to programs like SNAP, which have already seen an 87% increase in spending over the past few years.

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Department of Agriculture to Discontinue Annual Household Food Security Report Amid Rising Hunger in Kentucky

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the discontinuation of its long-standing Annual Household Food Security Report, a crucial tool that has highlighted hunger levels across the nation. This decision comes as Kentucky, among seven states with food insecurity rates surpassing the national average, faces significant increases in hunger.

Despite the growing food access challenges highlighted by recent surveys, USDA officials deemed the report “redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous.” The final report is scheduled for release on October 22, 2024. It will mark the end of a 30-year tradition used to inform policy responses, including vital programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

In Kentucky alone, an extensive survey involving nearly 1,800,000 households revealed that approximately 375,270 households are struggling to access sufficient food or maintain a healthy diet. Hunger has reportedly intensified between 2021 and 2023, despite an 87% increase in SNAP spending over the past four years.

Concerns have been raised regarding the USDA’s decision, particularly by local experts who emphasized that the report was invaluable for measuring hunger trends and understanding the demographics most affected—factors such as family size, age, and ethnicity. Many advocates fear that this change may hinder effective responses to escalating food insecurity in Kentucky, where inflation and the aftermath of COVID-19 assistance programs have exacerbated the situation.

In response to rising hunger levels, organizations throughout Kentucky, including Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland, are actively participating in Hunger Action Month—an initiative designed to raise awareness surrounding food insecurity. Local events focused on community involvement and donations are ongoing, especially in regions like Warren County, where over 21,000 residents are grappling with food insecurity.

The USDA’s recent decision to eliminate this report comes at a time when policymakers are considering major cuts to programs that directly support those in need. Some proposals, including a significant budget cut to SNAP funding amounting to approximately $186 billion over the next decade, threaten to worsen food insecurity for vulnerable populations.

The decision to halt this report was made shortly after a court ruling blocked the USDA’s request for sensitive data concerning SNAP beneficiaries, raising further concerns about transparency regarding hunger issues. As hunger levels rise, advocates continue to highlight the impacts of increased food procurement costs on organizations like God’s Pantry Food Bank, which noted that 18.2% of individuals in central and eastern Kentucky face food insecurity.

Despite contesting conditions, local food banks are committed to addressing the increasing need for food assistance. WKYT has engaged with food banks in the region to organize donation drives aimed at providing support to food-insecure communities throughout central and eastern Kentucky.

Key Statistics on Hunger and Food Insecurity in Kentucky

• 375,270 households struggling to access adequate food
• 1,800,000 households surveyed statewide
• 18.2% food insecurity rate in central and eastern Kentucky
• 21,000 individuals facing food insecurity in Warren County
• 87% increase in SNAP spending from 2019 to 2023
• $186 billion projected cuts to SNAP funding over the next decade

Background Context

The Household Food Security Report has served as a critical resource for understanding the extent and nature of hunger within the United States. It has guided the development of various policies and assistance programs designed to support low-income households. The announcements from the USDA, particularly in light of recent food insecurity trends, raise apprehensions about the future of hunger measurement in the country.

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Additional Resources

• Kentucky.com: USDA Discontinues Food Security Report
• WBKO: Feeding America Kentucky’s Heartland Celebrates Hunger Action Month
• Kentucky Lantern: 1 in 5 Kentucky Kids Faces Hunger
• LEX18: Kentucky Kicks Off Hunger Action Month
• Wikipedia: Food Insecurity in the United States

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