New data shows food insecurity continues to rise in Texas

New research released from Feeding America, the national network of food banks building lasting solutions to end hunger, reveals food insecurity continues to rise across Texas. The findings are part of the 2026 Map the Meal Gap study featuring 2024 data, which is the only comprehensive, county-level study of food insecurity and food costs in the U.S.

Food insecurity means a household lacks enough money or resources to reliably access adequate food. It’s not just families who pay the price, it’s Texas too: worse health, kids falling behind in school, and higher costs down the road for our healthcare system and economy.

Today, 19.4% of Texans, or nearly 1 in 5 people, are experiencing food insecurity, up from 17.6%, or 1 in 6 Texans, in last year’s report. Texas continues to have the largest food insecure population in the nation, with 6,062,890 Texans facing food insecurity.

“This year’s Map the Meal Gap data underscores the reality that food insecurity continues to affect our neighbors across every demographic and geography in Texas, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations, including children and seniors,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. “While we continue growing our work to get nutritious food to families, this report reinforces the urgent need for strong public policy, community support, and partnerships that protect and increase food access for Texans.”

Statewide findings from the 2026 report also highlight the growing severity of food insecurity across Texas:

  • 1 in 4 Texas children are experiencing food insecurity, representing 26.1%, or 1,995,810 children, an increase from 22.2% last year.
  • 1 in 7 Texas seniors are experiencing food insecurity, increasing from 13.6% to 15.1%.
  • Food insecurity among White, non-Hispanic Texans increased from 11% to 12%, meaning 1 in 8 are now experiencing food insecurity.
  • Food insecurity among Black Texans increased from 31% to 34%, meaning 1 in 3 Black Texans are experiencing food insecurity.

The Map the Meal Gap study also reveals a significant portion of individuals experiencing food insecurity may not qualify for federal nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Across the country, more than half of those struggling with food insecurity fall above the SNAP eligibility threshold, meaning many families must rely on local food banks and community meal programs to get by.

These findings are echoed by recent 211 Texas data from United Ways of Texas. From February to June 2026, calls to 211 seeking food assistance increased 28.6%, while referrals to food banks and food pantries rose nearly 37%, from 4,230 to 5,785 referrals. Among those seeking food assistance between January and June 2026, 43% were adults age 50 and older. During the same period, requests for home-delivered meals increased about 23%, growing from 510 to 629 requests.

Additionally, new provisions in HR 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” shift certain program costs to states and tie significant new financial obligations to SNAP payment error rates—a statistical measure of how accurately SNAP benefits are calculated by Texas Health and Human Services.

Beginning October 1, 2027, states with payment error rates above 6% must share between 5-15% of SNAP benefit costs. Texas’ payment error rate for fiscal year 2025 is 9.34%, meaning the state could face up to $709 million per year in benefit costs beginning in fiscal year 2028. If states are unable to take on this new financial burden, it could put their participation in SNAP at risk, threatening SNAP benefits for millions of working families, children, seniors and veterans. 

Notably, states with exceptionally high payment error rates (above 13.34% in FY25), including Alaska and Georgia, have already been granted a two-year extension to meet the new requirements. 

Texas food banks currently distribute more than 700 million pounds of food annually through a network of more than 5,000 community partners, yet for every meal provided by food banks, SNAP provides nine. SNAP remains the nation’s most effective anti-hunger program and plays a vital role in supporting local grocers, retailers and agricultural producers across the state. Millions of households rely on SNAP at some point during the year to help stretch their grocery budgets.

“We’re calling on Congress to postpone the cost-share requirement for two years so every state has adequate time to implement these improvements before being subjected to significant financial penalties,” Cole said. “Our priority should be ensuring the policy is implemented effectively while safeguarding eligible families’ access to food assistance.”

For more information about Feeding Texas and its statewide network of food banks, visit feedingtexas.org. Individuals can also visit Feeding Texas’ Action Form to contact members of Congress regarding the proposed SNAP cost share delay.

About Feeding Texas
Feeding Texas is a statewide network of food banks leading a unified effort to end hunger in Texas. Its goal is to ensure access to adequate, nutritious food for all Texans, improve the health and financial stability of the communities they serve, and engage all stakeholders in advocating for hunger solutions. Learn more at FeedingTexas.org.