Study: Over 98K Northeast Tennessee residents faced hunger in 2024

KINGSPORT — Feed America food banks across Tennessee reported that food insecurity has climbed to its highest levels in years across nearly every measure, according to a recent release. This includes the network of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Mid-South Food Bank and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee covering all counties in the state. As mentioned in the release, the data is pulled from Feeding America's 2026 "Map the Meal Gap" study, which measures the population affected by food insecurity and the factors that contribute to need in households across the country. Those contributing factors can include weekly food-budget shortfall, demographics, poverty levels, unemployment rates and cost of food. "Food insecurity is not a distant problem — it is present in every community in Northeast Tennessee," Rhonda Chafin, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, said in the release. "Behind every number is a child, family, senior, veteran or neighbor working hard to make ends meet. When we act together, we can help ensure lasting food security." Local impact The 2026 "Map the Meal Gap" study uses data from 2024, which showed that 14.4% of Americans were considered food insecure. Of the counties with the highest levels of food insecurity, 84% were noted as being in the South, including Tennessee. Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee serves the eight-county region of Sullivan, Hawkins, Washington, Carter, Greene, Johnson, Unicoi and Hancock. From that region, 18.7% of people were reported as facing hunger in 2024, the highest rate in at least five years. After falling to 13.8% in 2021, food insecurity is said to have risen every year since. In 2023, 17.4% of service area residents faced food insecurity. Hancock County had the highest food insecurity rate in the service area at 24.8% and the highest child food insecurity rate at 30.4%. In 2024, 98,360 people from the eight-county area were recognized as facing hunger in 2024. The study showed 31% of Black residents and 20% of Hispanic residents are food insecure compared to 16% of white, non-Hispanic residents. Within Six Rivers Media's coverage area, the following data was reported: Sullivan County: 18.1% food insecurity rate (29,100 individuals affected) Hawkins County: 18.4% food insecurity rate (10,690 individuals affected) Scott County (Virginia): 20.7% food insecurity rate (4,450 individuals affected) Washington County: 18.1% food insecurity rate (24,690 individuals affected) Carter County: 19.7% food insecurity rate (11,180 individuals affected) Unicoi County: 18.9% food insecurity rate (3,360 individuals affected) Johnson County: 20% food insecurity rate (3,630 individuals affected) Based on these numbers, Scott County carried the highest food insecurity rate (20.7%), followed by Johnson County (20%) and Carter County (19.7%). Across SRM's seven-county coverage, 87,100 individuals were recognized as food insecure. State level Lake County in the northwest corner of the state reported the highest food insecurity rate in Tennessee at 26.6% and the highest child food insecurity rate at 41.2%. According to the release, all five of Tennessee's food bank service areas were above the national rate of food insecurity, with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee having the highest rate at 18.7%. Results from the study referenced in the release mentioned that Black and Hispanic residents face food insecurity at higher rates than white, non-Hispanic residents, with 1 in 3 (29%) Black persons and 1 in 6 (18%) Hispanic persons food insecure, compared to 1 in 8 (13%) of white, non-Hispanic persons. The "Map the Meal Gap" study identified the average cost of a meal in Tennessee is $3.70, and residents who are food insecure face a combined annual food budget shortfall of more than $827 million. To view more specific data from the study, visit FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap.