“Since 2011, Feeding America has produced the Map the Meal Gap study, providing estimates of local food insecurity and food costs on an annual basis to better understand people and places facing hunger and to inform decisions and actions that will help us achieve our mission.”
–Feeding America
What is food insecurity?
According to Feeding America, “Food insecurity occurs when a household cannot access enough food due to a lack of money and other essential resources. It is often linked to one or multiple factors that lead to food insecurity, creating a cycle that can be hard to break. These factors can be related to household income, expenses, access to affordable health care, the surrounding social and physical environment, and barriers to opportunity which play a role in preventing some households and communities from being food secure.”
What is hunger?
Hunger refers to the personal discomfort of not having enough food, stemming from food insecurity.
The consequences of hunger are severe and long-lasting.
- Individuals experiencing food insecurity have increased rates of both physical and mental health challenges.
- Children experiencing food insecurity are more likely to have impaired cognitive development, lower math and reading scores, and higher rates of absenteeism.
- Food insecurity among older adults leads to health problems that include an increased chance of being hospitalized, worsening of chronic conditions, and a weakened immune system.
- Hunger has a significant economic impact on our state due to preventable healthcare costs, lower educational attainment, and lost productivity in the workforce.
Hunger in Montana
Hunger is directly related to the larger problem of economic insecurity in our state. Low wages, job loss, and insufficient fixed incomes leave many families unable to keep food on the table while trying to afford the rising costs of housing, child care, and medical care.
Limited access to food also contributes to hunger and food insecurity in Montana. More than 58,000 Montanans live in areas that have limited access to a grocery store or supermarket, making access to fresh, affordable food a daily challenge.
Montana Food Bank Network is a network to end hunger in Montana.
Montana Food Bank Network (MFBN) provides direct service to 330 Network Partners across Montana providing food to those in need. In fiscal year 2025, MFBN distributed 13,676,985 meals to our food pantry and meal program Partners. In addition to providing emergency food, we work to increase participation in public food programs and advocate for long-term policy solutions to strengthen public nutrition programs and address the root causes of hunger.
We cannot do it alone.
You can join us today by donating, advocating, or volunteering to help us end hunger in Montana.
Please contact us at [email protected] or call directly (406) 721-3825 to get involved.
Updated May 2025