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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap study shows that 1 in 5 children and 1 in 6 adults continue to face hunger in Ozarks Food Harvest’s service area, which covers a third of the state of Missouri. Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri.

Map the Meal Gap, now in its 15th year, is the only study that provides local-level estimates of food insecurity and food costs for every county and congressional district. The study builds upon the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) most recent report of national and state data, which showed 47 million people, including 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2023, the highest rate in more than a decade.

“Map the Meal Gap emphasizes the need for folks to join the movement to end hunger,” said Bart Brown, president and CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “We face a challenging year with increased grocery, rent and child care costs. If you want to help your neighbors this year, please donate at ozarksfoodharvest.org. Every dollar donated will help provide $10 worth of groceries to families who need food now.”

Rural communities in Ozarks Food Harvest’s service area experience even higher levels of food insecurity compared to urban areas. For example, 1 in 4 children face hunger in Vernon, Howell, Barton, Texas, Ozark and Oregon county.

As hunger rates remain high and the demand for food increases, Ozarks Food Harvest is set to lose an estimated $3 million worth of food this year due to USDA cuts. The Food Bank is asking the community for help so children, families and seniors can continue to access food without interruption.

The Map the Meal Gap study is supported by Conagra Brands Foundation and NielsenIQ/NIQ. Additional information can be found on the Map the Meal Gap website along with an interactive map that details food insecurity by geography, income, race and ethnicity. For more information about Ozarks Food Harvest, visit ozarksfoodharvest.org.

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About Ozarks Food Harvest — The Food Bank
Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 270 faith-based and community charities across a third of Missouri. The Food Bank reaches over 70,000 individuals monthly and provides more than 21 million meals annually. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or instagram.com/ozarksfoodharvest.

About Feeding America
Feeding America is committed to an America where no one is hungry. We support tens of millions of people who experience food insecurity to get the food and resources they say they need to thrive as part of a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, food pantries and meal programs. We also invest in innovative solutions to increase equitable access to nutritious food, advocate for legislation that improves food security and work to address factors that impact food security, such as health, cost of living and employment. We partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations, and supporters, united with them in a movement to end hunger. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.