For decades, a yearly federal report has tracked how many Americans face challenges putting food on the table.

The Household Food Security Report, released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), has been an important tool for policymakers, researchers, and charities.

Now, officials have confirmed that the publication will be discontinued after its 2024 release.

The decision comes only months after significant changes to food assistance programs were signed into law.


Since the 1990s, the USDA’s annual Household Food Security Report has been the gold standard for understanding hunger in America.

It’s not just a bunch of numbers—it’s a tool that helps policymakers, charities, and communities figure out where help is needed most.

The report tracks how many households struggle to put enough food on the table, how many children are affected, and how trends change over time.

For many, especially those of us who remember the lean years of the past, this report has been a crucial way to hold our leaders accountable and ensure that no one is left behind.


The end of the hunger report comes just months after President Trump signed legislation that sharply reduced food aid to the poor.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the changes mean about 3 million people will lose access to SNAP benefits.

That’s not just a number—it’s millions of families, seniors, and children who may now struggle to afford groceries.

For older Americans, SNAP is often a critical support. Many retirees live on fixed incomes, and with rising costs for everything from eggs to electricity, every dollar counts.

Losing food assistance can mean tough choices: groceries or medication, dinner or the electric bill.


The USDA claims the hunger report is flawed, saying the questions used to measure food security are “entirely subjective.”

Officials explained that the data was “rife with inaccuracies” and presented a picture that did not match current economic conditions.

They pointed to declines in poverty rates, higher wages, and job growth as evidence that the report was not accurately capturing the national situation.

But here’s the rub: the Census Bureau’s own data shows the poverty rate did dip slightly, from 11% in 2023 to 10.6% last year. However, that’s before the recent SNAP cuts took effect.

Critics argue that ending the hunger report now makes it much harder to see the real impact of those cuts.


Also read: Are your SNAP benefits on the chopping block? New rules coming October 1 could impact your family

Some researchers and policy advocates have raised concerns about the decision.

They argue that ending the report makes it more difficult to track whether hunger is improving or worsening.

Bobby Kogan, Senior Director at the Center for American Progress, said, “Trump is cancelling an annual government survey that measures hunger in America, rather than allow it to show hunger increasing under his tenure.”

Without the federal report, nonprofits and local agencies may need to rely on their own smaller-scale data collection.


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Past federal data has shown that nearly 5 million seniors have faced food insecurity in recent years.

That means about one in fourteen older Americans reported challenges affording food.

Without consistent national tracking, it becomes harder to advocate for programs like Meals on Wheels or senior meal services.

Reliable data is also crucial for highlighting the unique challenges older adults face, including mobility issues and health concerns that require proper nutrition.


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With the end of the USDA’s annual hunger report, the country will need to rely more on independent surveys and nonprofit research.

Some states and cities may begin publishing their own statistics, but the national picture will likely become less clear.

The long-term impact of the recent SNAP changes may take months or even years to fully understand.

For now, questions remain about how hunger will be monitored—and how communities can best prepare to respond.

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Have you or someone you know been affected by changes to SNAP or other food assistance programs? Do you think the government should continue tracking hunger in America? What solutions do you see for ensuring no one goes hungry?