FOOD INSECURITY in BETHESDA 

Food insecurity is defined as lacking consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Thirty-five percent of households in Montgomery County have experienced food insecurity in the past year, more than 820,000 adults across the DMV area.  The severity of need continues to rise as more households face disruptions in how often or how much they eat due to limited resources. 

Children remain especially vulnerable—about 11% (over 27,000 children) in the county live with food insecurity, a rate higher than for adults. Disparities persist: food insecurity disproportionately impacts children, seniors, immigrants, people of color, and people with disabilities. Amid rising living costs and cuts to federal benefits, local organizations—including Nourishing Bethesda—have seen rising demand and continued increased need among families who are middle-class, working multiple jobs, and have higher education levels.

Food insecurity remains a critical challenge throughout the DMV region, impacting more than 1.5 million people—about 36% of households—who struggle to access enough food for a healthy, active life. The crisis is worsening, with 22% of adults experiencing very low food security, often skipping meals or reducing portions. Economic pressures such as inflation, stagnant wages, and cuts to federal benefits hit hardest those working multiple low-wage jobs. Vulnerable groups—including children, seniors, immigrants, and people with disabilities—face disproportionate hardship.

Montgomery County reflects these regional trends, with roughly 35% of residents experiencing food insecurity, a sharp increase from previous years. Many families in the county struggle to afford nutritious and culturally relevant food while balancing rising housing and medical costs. 

Adding to these pressures, the ongoing federal government shutdown has resulted in the U.S. Department of Agriculture announcing that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will not be distributed starting November 1, 2025. Approximately 42 million Americans relying on SNAP will face a sudden loss of food aid due to this lapse in funding. Maryland and other states have warned that they will not use state funds to backfill the federal SNAP cuts, leaving many families scrambling for alternatives like local food banks. The halt in SNAP benefits during this time compounds the existing food insecurity crisis, making community support and urgent policy action more critical than ever.