Use of the emergency food system among food insecure, low-income households in the United States 2015 to 2020

The emergency food system (EFS) is a critical part of the United States' social safety net. Using 2015-2020 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement data, we identified trends in EFS use among food insecure, low-income households by estimating the probability of EFS use adjusting for demographics using multivariable logistic regression. From 2015 to 2019, between 31.0% and 34.4% of households received emergency food, while 42.4% did in 2020. EFS use did not increase in 2020 compared to prior years for older adults and non-metropolitan households. Targeted outreach should be used to expand the reach of this resource to underserved and marginalized populations.

Automated summary

The emergency food system (EFS) is an essential part of the US social safety net, however, the utilization of EFS among food insecure, low-income households varies over time. While overall EFS use increased in 2020, there was no significant increase for older adults and non-metropolitan households compared to previous years. Targeted outreach efforts are necessary to extend the reach of EFS to underserved and marginalized populations.