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Survey of Baltimore-area residents shows slight decline in food insecurity in 2024

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BALTIMORE -- The number of food-insecure Baltimore-area residents declined by 7.5 percentage points between 2023 and 2024, according to a survey by Johns Hopkins. 

The Baltimore Area Survey (BAS) asked a group of 1,492 Baltimore City and County residents how they felt about food and transportation access, local government, schools and other aspects of life.

The survey found that 28.4% of Baltimore area residents experienced food insecurity in 2024, down from 36% in 2023. According to the BAS, the decline was highest among Black residents. 

The 2023 survey showed that 53.9% of the Baltimore region's Black residents experienced food insecurity. That number dropped to 37.5% in 2024. 

About 17% of White residents experienced food insecurity in 2024, according to the survey. 

Baltimore Food Insecurity
The number of food-insecure Baltimore-area residents declined by 7.5 percentage points between 2023 and 2024, according to the Baltimore Area Survey (BAS).  Johns Hopkins

The BAS used questions determined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to measure the level of food insecurity. In 2023, the USDA found that 13.5% of Americans experienced low food insecurity. 

The study also showed a racial disparity in Baltimore-area residents' access to grocery stores. 

Of those surveyed, 84.3% of White residents agreed that they had a convenient grocery store near where they lived, while only 65% of Black residents said the same, according to the BAS. 

Baltimore Access to Grocery Stores
According to the Baltimore Area Survey, 84.3% of White residents agreed that they had a convenient grocery store near where they lived, while only 65% of Black residents said the same. Johns Hopkins

Food insecurity in Maryland 

According to Feeding America, 1 in 8 people and 1 in 6 children face food insecurity in Maryland. 

Across the state, more than $878 million in SNAP benefits has been distributed to supplement charities in supporting those who are food insecure. Data shows the average price of a meal in Maryland is $4.16. 

According to data from the Maryland Food Bank, approximately 90,750 Baltimore City residents are food insecure and 102,630 Baltimore County residents are food insecure. 

In the city, the average price of a meal is $4.68 and in the county, the average price is $4.29, according to Feeding America

Access to transportation 

The survey further examined how residents feel about transportation access, and found there are economic and racial disparities. 

The report asked residents if they experienced problems with transportation in 2024 that led to missed opportunities or rescheduled appointments. It found that 43.2% of Black and 22% of White residents experienced at least one issue. 

According to the study, income had a substantial impact on whether residents experienced transportation insecurity. 

Baltimore Transportation Insecurity
The poorest Baltimore area residents were three times more likely to experience transportation issues than those who made between $70,000 and $110,000, according to the Baltimore Area Survey. Johns Hopkins

The poorest residents were three times more likely to experience transportation issues than those who made between $70,000 and $110,000. They were more than five times more likely to experience problems than the wealthiest residents, the study showed. 

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