What does food insecurity look and feel like for the people experiencing it? Feeding America’s 2026 Elevating Voices: Insights Report puts those experiences at the center, drawing on a survey of 1,200 people who have experienced food insecurity or received charitable food assistance. The report explores how persistent economic pressures, rising food costs, and changes to government nutrition programs are affecting people’s ability to afford nutritious food and maintain financial stability.
The findings illustrate the connections between food security, economic security, and health. Sixty-eight percent of respondents said they want to eat healthier but cannot afford to do so, while 81% said people in their communities are experiencing long-term financial stress. As households face these pressures, food banks and pantries are playing an increasingly important role: 79% of respondents said charitable food resources are becoming more important for families in their communities.