Food insecurity climbs across the Indianapolis area
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More than 163,000 people in Marion County faced food insecurity in 2024, according to a new report from Feeding America.
Why it matters: Food banks say they're seeing greater need as families grapple with high grocery, housing and fuel costs, while changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) add pressure.
By the numbers: The rate of food insecurity in the county rose steadily to 16.8% in 2024, up from 11.3% in 2021.
- 163,870 people lack consistent access to the food.
- The average meal cost $3.48, per the report, and the county faced a food budget shortfall of more than $108 million in 2024.
Statewide, 1,097,150 Hoosiers (15.8% of the population) experienced food insecurity in 2024.
- According to Gleaners Food Bank, the analysis finds that 61% of food-insecure individuals have earnings that exceed the SNAP eligibility threshold while 39% fall below it.
- "That means many working families continue to struggle to afford groceries despite earning too much to receive benefits," Gleaners said in a statement.
- Indiana families facing food insecurity would need an additional $691 million annually to meet their food needs, per the Feeding America report.
Zoom in: As the problem worsens, some of our most vulnerable Hoosiers continue to lack access to a resource designed to keep food on the table during the summer months.
- Last month, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) confirmed that Indiana would not participate in the federal SUN Bucks Program in 2027.
- Also known as Summer EBT, the program gives low-income families $120 per student to pay for groceries when kids are on summer break and not getting meals at school.
- Indiana participated in the program in 2024 but opted out in 2025 and 2026.
- In previous years, FSSA officials said the program was too expensive to administer. This year, they issued a statement saying the program isn't needed because the state's economy has recovered and other "well-established" options exist.
Yes, but: Lawmakers like Indiana Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder say Indiana children should not go hungry when the state's coffers are full.
- In June, Rep. André Carson introduced the Summer Meals for Kids Act, legislation that would ensure that Indiana and every other state opts into Summer EBT.
- "They're leaving money on the table to play politics," Carson said in a July social media post. "Over 600,000 Hoosier children will be impacted … no kid should ever go hungry."