Food insecurity in Massachusetts—the region's most populous state—now impacts a record 40% of households. This surge is largely driven by relentless inflation, the highest-in-the-nation cost of living, and recent cutbacks to federal benefits.

The way hunger impacts the region has fundamentally transformed across several key areas:

Not only are more people going hungry, but the severity has also worsened. "Very low food security"—the most acute form of hunger where individuals regularly skip meals—has quadrupled over the last few years.

Hunger is no longer confined to low-income pockets. Food pantries in incredibly affluent suburbs are seeing thousands of working professionals and families seeking emergency groceries.