Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report Survey

2BDTF9G Washington, United States. 09th Apr, 2020. A volunteer packs a box of food to be distributed to people in need at the Capital Area Food Bank on Thursday, April 9, 2020 in Washington, DC. The Capital Area Food Bank provides over 30 million meals per year with its non-profit partners in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Since the COVID-19 pandemic food banks around the country have seen an uptick in demand as unemployment has surged around the country. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI Credit: UPI/Alamy Live News

Problem

Data were lacking on the scope of food insecurity across the region.

Despite an improving economic picture post-pandemic, food insecurity remains high, especially among low-income households in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Many residents continue to face financial hardship due to rising living costs, slow wage growth, and limited job opportunities.

Solution

A groundbreaking survey measured the prevalence and attitudes on food insecurity.

The Capital Area Food Bank partnered with NORC at the University of Chicago to conduct its fourth landmark general population survey in the region, reaching over 3,700 residents. NORC used a probability-based sample and took a multi-mode address-based (or ABS) approach with adults in the D.C. metropolitan area, which includes the following areas: Montgomery County, MD; Prince George's County, MD; Fairfax County, VA; Prince William County, VA; Arlington County, VA; Alexandria, VA, and Washington, DC.

Previous rounds of the Hunger Report are available for 2024, 2023, and 2022.

Result

The survey’s insights can improve the understanding of food insecurity and inform solutions.

The 2025 Hunger Report highlights the rates of food insecurity in the greater Washington, DC region over the past year and and highlights a growing divide between economic growth and the ability of vulnerable populations to meet basic needs.

The survey shows the different factors that have contributed to food insecurity remaining at high levels across the region. The survey also provides key insights into the demographics of those experiencing food insecurity and provides evidence showing the persisting disparities across these characteristics.

Among the findings:

The levels of food insecurity remain at similar levels to previous years with about a third of adults experiencing food insecurity in the Washington, DC region.
While overall food insecurity rates remain steady, the severity has increased, with very low food security rising from 2022 to 2025. This trend is driven by financial strain on low-income households and those impacted by federal spending cuts, leading to more frequent disruptions in access to food.
The survey also provides insights into people’s outlook into their personal finances and the economic pressures that are having an impact on their household budgets.