Study Tracks Food Insecurity in New Mexico, U.S. During Health Crisis

The COVID-19 emergency has resulted in a dramatic increase in food insecurity in every one of our 50 states, although the extent of the increase varies by state.

According to a study put together by the Institute for Policy Research (IPR) at Northwestern University in Illinois, using data from, the Census  Household Pulse Survey (CHHPS), food insecurity during COVID-19 is almost 2.15 times what it was prior to the onset of the national health emergency.

"More than 1 in 10 households reported receiving free food in Hawaii and New Mexico," said the IPR study, which contains data for each of the 50 states.

"Mississippi and Louisiana recorded the highest estimates of food insecurity during COVID-19, at 31.6% and 30.1%, respectively. Vermont, with 14.1% food insecure, is the only state with a food insecurity rate below 15%," said the study.

Below are a few numbers from a table contained in the report. The middle column illustrates the dramatic increase in need in New Mexico. According to the study, the projected rate of food insecurity in our state was just below 15% in February of this year. The rate for the April-May period was recordeded at 27.6%.

	Food Insecurity: Dec. 2018 Predicted Food Insecurity: Feb. 2020 Food Insecurity: April–May 2020 Ratio: Feb. vs. April-May Received Free Food, Prior 7 Days

New Mexico

15.7%    14.9%      27.6% 1.86 11.6% U.S. Total 11.1%  10.8%    23.0% 2.12 7.3%

Loss of Jobs
A parallel IPR report linked the increased food insecurity in large measure to the loss of jobs during the pandemic. "The COVID-19 health emergency has led to a sharp economic slowdown, with soaring unemployment and spikes in need as illustrated by news reports of miles-long lines at food pantries," said the report.

"We find that food insecurity has doubled overall, and tripled among households with children. Food insecurity is elevated across all states, with some states experiencing extremely high rates and/or increases in food insecurity. Across the nation, 7% of households reported receiving free food during the prior week," added the IPR.

"During the COVID-19 health emergency, the rate of food insecurity for households with children more than tripled to 29.5%," said the report. "Approximately half of this increase can be explained by the increase in the unemployment rate.”

See the report for a more complete discussion of the IPR methodology.