More Americans are going hungry now than during the pandemic, as people face a 'remarkable' rise in food insecurity, New York Fed says

a woman looks at the produce she's buying (Credit: Brandon Bell—Getty Images)

There are more Americans experiencing food insecurity now than there were during the pandemic, a new survey from the Federal Reserve of New York found.

In the survey from Feb. 2026, the New York Fed asked American households about their spending habits, just as consumer sentiment reached an all-time low this month and as the economic effects of the Iran war were starting to be felt at home. The survey asked Americans questions such as if someone in their household dipped into savings to cover expenses; had trouble finding enough food to eat; had children miss meals: received food donations; or received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.