LA Food & Nutrition Insecurity | Data & Resources

One in Four Los Angeles Households Face Food Insecurity, USC dornsife Study Reveals

A new study from USC Dornsife paints a stark picture of food insecurity in Los Angeles County, finding that 25% of households struggled to afford adequate food in 2025. The research underscores the urgent need for sustained community support as economic pressures increasingly impact access to nutritious meals.

Did you know? – Food insecurity isn’t always about a lack of food; it’s about a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. This can be due to financial constraints, geographic limitations, or other factors.

The Shifting Landscape of Hunger in LA County

Traditionally, food insecurity – defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life – has disproportionately affected lower-income households. The USC Dornsife study offers a glimmer of hope, noting a decline in food insecurity among this group, from 41% to 35% in 2025.This improvement is attributed to increased local investments in food access, nutrition programs, and improved coordination within the food system. Simultaneously, nutrition insecurity – the lack of consistent access to healthy and culturally appropriate food – also saw a notable decrease, falling from 29% to 21% countywide.

A New Face of Food Insecurity Emerges

However,researchers caution that these positive trends don’t represent the full story. The study reveals a concerning shift: a growing number of food-insecure individuals are now coming from middle and upper-income brackets, often employed in working families. These households frequently earn too much to qualify for assistance programs like CalFresh (California’s Supplemental nutrition Assistance Program), yet are overwhelmed by the exceptionally high cost of living in Los Angeles County.

“Housing, childcare, healthcare, and transportation expenses are leaving many families with too little left for groceries,” a senior official stated, highlighting the precarious financial situation faced by many. This is pushing families into food insecurity for the first time.

pro tip – Check with local food banks and community organizations for resources beyond CalFresh. Many offer pantries, meal programs, and cooking classes to help stretch food budgets.

Assistance Programs Fall Short

Even for those already receiving support, significant gaps remain. The research found that nearly half of CalFresh participants in los Angeles County experienced food insecurity in 2025, demonstrating that current benefit levels are often insufficient to cover rising food and living costs.This situation is expected to worsen with anticipated federal cuts to food assistance programs in 2026.“

The LA Regional Food Bank Steps In

The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is playing a critical role in bridging these gaps. The association collaborates with hundreds of partner agencies throughout the county to provide nutritious food,promote nutrition security,and respond to emergencies like wildfires and public health crises. The Food bank specifically targets families who fall outside the reach of trad

Reader question – What role do you think employers could play in addressing food insecurity among their employees? Share your thoughts.

Food insecurity and nutrition insecurity remain persistent, evolving challenges in our region. Addressing them requires sustained investment, coordinated action, and strong community support. You can be part of the solution by helping ensure that no one in Los Angeles County goes hungry.

make a gift today at LAFoodBank.org/donate.