One in Three Georgia Families Experience Food Insecurity, Emory Poll Finds

A new statewide poll of Georgia parents by researchers at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health finds that one in three Georgia families with children (33%) experience low or very low food security. Nearly one in five families (18%) report having very low food security, meaning they skipped meals, felt hungry, or went without eating because they could not afford enough food.

The survey of 1,002 Georgia parents documents a complex picture of food insecurity in the state—including who is most affected, the impact of rising food costs, and SNAP access issues.

“When kids don’t have enough food, we know it can have a profound impact—including on their physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as on their school performance,” says Stephen Patrick, MD, lead author and chair of health policy and management at Rollins. “This is a solvable problem. No child should go to bed hungry."

Key Findings

• Food insecurity is unevenly distributed across Georgia. 43% of rural families report low or very low food security, compared to 31% in urban and suburban counties. Black families are more affected (41%) than Hispanic (34%) or white families (29%).
• Parents are skipping meals. More than 1 in 4 parents (25%) cut or skipped meals in the past year because there wasn't enough money for food—rising to 44% among lower-income families.
• Food costs are changing food spending habits. About 60% of families changed food spending habits due to higher prices. Among those, 66% changed what they eat, 56% changed where they shop, and 72% cut restaurant visits.
• SNAP coverage is inconsistent. About 1 in 4 families receive food assistance (SNAP), but more than half of SNAP households (52%) lost access at some point during the past year.
• School lunch debt is common. 6% of students carry school lunch debt. The median amount owed is $25, but a quarter of families owe $100 or more. For context, full-price lunches in Georgia range from $2.50-$3.50. Reduced price lunches are approximately $0.40.
• Parents overwhelmingly support free school meals. 86% of Georgia parents support free breakfast and lunch for all children in public schools. 

Why This Matters

“These data clearly show Georgia families are struggling to meet their food and nutritional needs, and the situation is poised to worsen. With recent and upcoming changes to SNAP, it is possible even more children in Georgia will face food insecurity in the coming years,” says Megan R. Winkler, PhD, professor in the Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences at Rollins. 

Under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, the SNAP program is undergoing substantial long-term changes. This year, several shifts have already taken effect for Georgia families with children, including the removal of work requirement exemptions for households with children over age 14, the loss of eligibility for refugees and asylees, and the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding. Beginning next year, Georgia will also see its share of SNAP administrative costs rise from 50% to 75%.  

“There are things we can all do to support families facing food insecurity,” says Winkler. “Individuals can donate to local food banks and look for ways to support local initiatives, like food backpack programs. Organizations can help by working with local schools and relieving the burden of school lunch debt. And policymakers can prioritize food security in budget decisions, protect the programs families depend on, and support legislation that strengthens food assistance programs to reduce barriers to access for families in need." 

Throughout 2026, the Emory Center for Child Health Policy will continue to distribute poll results on child health and well-being as a part of ongoing efforts to elevate the voices of Georgia parents to understand their concerns for their children. Recent and forthcoming spring 2026 releases include polling on high school cellphone and technology policies, mental and behavioral health, and water safety and drowning prevention.

The Emory Center for Child Health Policy is part of the Department of Health Policy and Management at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.