Even as Collin County continues to expand, the 2024 hunger estimates indicate that many households in the Texas region are still struggling to afford enough food.
In 2024, the number of residents facing food insecurity was estimated at nearly 150,000, and the rise among children was especially alarming, as Local Profile reported.
Here's what to know
According to Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap study using 2024 data, 12.9% of Collin County residents were food insecure in 2024, down slightly from 13.5% in 2023. Child food insecurity, however, increased from 2023 to 2024, according to the Local Profile.
The outlet said that 53,040 children in Collin County were food insecure in 2024, representing 18.4% of the county's child population. In 2023, that figure was 43,770 children.
The county's numbers also fit into a larger regional pattern. Across the 25 counties covered by the North Texas Food Bank and Tarrant Area Food Bank, about 1.4 million people were food insecure in 2024, including more than 506,000 children. That put the regional food insecurity rate at 16.2%, up from 15.7% in 2023, per the outlet.
"As the cost of living continues to outpace household incomes, families across every ZIP code in North Texas are increasingly having to make tough decisions about whether to buy the groceries they need or pay for other essentials, such as gas, rent, medication or utilities," Trisha Cunningham, president and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank, said in a news release.
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Meal prices in Dallas-Fort Worth were also higher than the statewide average. According to the outlet, Feeding America estimated the average meal cost at $3.46 in DFW, compared with $3.17 across Texas.
More background
Another notable takeaway from the study is that food insecurity extends well beyond the lowest-income households. Local Profile reported that, across the DFW service area, roughly 54% of those experiencing food insecurity live in households that earn too much to qualify for SNAP.
Some families may have jobs and incomes that place them outside federal aid limits yet still leave them unable to comfortably cover groceries alongside costs such as rent, gas, utilities, and medication.
When kids do not have reliable access to food, the consequences can extend to school performance, health, stress levels, and overall family well-being.
Local Profile reported that Texas had about 6.06 million food-insecure residents in 2024, with a statewide rate of 19.4%. The state's child food insecurity rate was 26.1%, with nearly 2 million Texas children estimated to be food insecure.
What can be done?
Data such as Map the Meal Gap can help food banks, nonprofits, and local leaders identify where support is needed most. These figures can also help guide outreach, pantry distribution, and funding priorities.
Cunningham said the food bank is relying on community support as living costs continue to strain family budgets across the region.
"We are committed to ensuring every child, family and older adult has access to the food they need to thrive," she said in the release.
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