Food bank demand continues to rise

Most food banks are seeing more demand than last year going into the holiday season, according to the nonprofit Feeding America's survey of 157 food banks.

The big picture: Food insecurity has steadily risen since before the pandemic, with 65% of food banks recording an increase in the number of people served in October 2024 compared to October 2023.

By the numbers: An average of 20% more people have sought out services from the food banks surveyed.

• From September to October of this year, about half the food banks in the survey saw an increase in the number of people served, with an average increase of about 15% more people.

Zoom out: Demand throughout 2024 fluctuated but is higher overall than pre-pandemic levels.

• 5.9 billion meals were distributed nationally from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024 — a higher figure than the last couple of fiscal years but a drop-off from 2021, when 6.6 billion meals were distributed.

Flashback: Last year, Americans said they were less likely to donate food during the holiday season because of increasing food and grocery costs, per Divert Inc., a food waste reduction company.

• Food prices for holiday meals have continued to fall following a 2022 record high.