DAVENPORT, IOWA (July 29, 2026) — Feeding America’s latest Map the Meal Gap study estimates that 139,800 people — including 43,150 children — experienced food insecurity in River Bend Food Bank’s 23-county service area in 2024, representing a food insecurity rate of 13.6%.
Food insecure households do not always have reliable access to enough food for every person to live an active, healthy life. The new estimates show that hunger affects every county River Bend serves, with rates ranging from 10.9% in Dubuque County, Iowa, to 15.9% in Henderson County, Illinois. Child food insecurity ranges from 15.2% to 24.5% across the service area.
The findings also underscore the reach of hunger in rural communities. Nationally, 86% of counties with the highest food insecurity rates are rural. Henderson County, Illinois, which has the highest overall and child food insecurity rates in River Bend’s service area, is one local example of this nationwide trend.
“These numbers are not abstract — they represent neighbors making impossible choices between food and other essentials,” said Jenny Colvin, Vice President of Philanthropy at River Bend Food Bank.
“They also show why hunger cannot be addressed with one solution or by one organization. It takes a strong network of food pantries, schools, donors, volunteers and community partners working together so every neighbor can access the food they need to thrive.”
What the local data shows
• Hunger is present in every community. Overall county food insecurity rates across River Bend’s service area range from about 11% to 16%, an estimated 139,800 people.
• Children face even higher rates. An estimated 43,150 children experienced food insecurity in 2024; county child food insecurity rates range from 15.2% to 24.5%.
• More than half of people experiencing food insecurity in the service area are estimated to have incomes above the eligibility threshold for SNAP. More than one-third of children experiencing food insecurity may live in households above the income threshold for free or reduced-price school meals.
• Although people of every background experience food insecurity, estimated rates among Black residents range from 22% to 47% across River Bend’s service area, and rates among Hispanic residents range from 14% to 29%.
• Household food budgets remain strained. In 2024, people in food-insecure households reported needing an average of $22.22 more per person each week to afford enough food. The estimated average meal cost across River Bend’s service area is $3.55.
How to understand the numbers
The 2026 Map the Meal Gap release provides estimates for 2024. It is not a real-time count of people visiting food pantries, and it should not be interpreted as showing the effect of policy or economic changes that occurred after 2024. Instead, the study combines several public data sources to estimate food insecurity, meal costs and food-budget shortfalls at the county and congressional-district levels. The two-year lag allows Feeding America to use the most complete data available and apply a consistent methodology across the country.
Map the Meal Gap uses data from the US Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics and USDA Economic Research Service, along with food-price data from NielsenIQ/NIQ, USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan and local grocery sales-tax information. Because the results are estimates, they are most useful for understanding patterns, disparities and the scale of need — not for identifying specific households or measuring current pantry traffic.
Why continued data matters
USDA announced in 2025 that it would discontinue future editions of its annual Household Food Security Report. That change does not affect the 2024 estimates in this release, but it creates uncertainty about a key national source used to understand hunger over time. Feeding America is working across its nationwide network and with research partners to identify reliable data sources and methods for estimating local food insecurity in 2027 and beyond.
How the community can help
River Bend Food Bank distributed seventeen million meals in its most recent fiscal year through a network of more than 400 hunger-relief partners, including food pantries, schools and meal sites. Community members can help by donating, volunteering and advocating for policies that make nutritious food accessible to every neighbor.
Explore local estimates at FeedingAmerica.org/MaptheMealGap. Learn more about River Bend Food Bank, find food assistance or get involved at riverbendfoodbank.org.
About River Bend Food Bank
River Bend Food Bank leads the community-wide effort to end hunger across 23 counties in eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Through a network of more than 400 hunger-relief partners — including food pantries, schools and meal sites — River Bend helps ensure neighbors have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive. Together, we are feeding people today and ending hunger tomorrow. Learn more at riverbendfoodbank.org.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is a nationwide network of food banks, statewide food bank associations, regional co-ops, food pantries, and meal programs working to ensure everyone has access to nutritious food. Rooted in the voices of people facing hunger, the network provides food today and advances long-term solutions to end hunger. Learn more at FeedingAmerica.org.
