New data collected from Foodlink’s network of 300+ food bank members — such as local food pantries and meal programs — revealed another sharp rise in requests for food assistance this year.

Through September, requests for help have risen 47 percent compared to a year ago. In fact, there have been 1.34 million visits to a local food pantry or meal program already this year, eclipsing last year’s total (1.33 million) for the entire year.

Foodlink has examined and shared this data in 3-month increments since the spring to capture the latest trends in food insecurity at the local level. The national statistics food banks typically rely on — Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report — reflect surveys conducted two years prior. In May, it was announced that Foodlink’s 10-county service area had a food-insecurity rate of 12 percent in 2022 (up from 9.3 percent in 2021). At the time, that sharp increase could be attributed to both rising food costs, and the expiration of many COVID-era assistance programs (e.g. SNAP, Child Tax Credits, free school meals), and impacted more than 150,000 individuals.

The newest data included the summer months, which is when many families struggle to put food on the table. The disappearance of free school meals in July and August puts a financial strain on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. It was clear that families turned to the emergency food system more this year, compared to a year ago. In 2023, there were 135,336 recorded client visits in July and August. In 2024, there were 276,794.

Foodlink is readying for its busiest time of year — the holiday season — when many of its members work hard to make sure their clients can prepare and serve a holiday meal. At the current pace, there will be 1.78 million requests for food assistance by the end of the year.