Bread Urges the USDA to Retain the Annual Food Security Survey and Report

Washington, D.C., September 23, 2025 – Bread for the World issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to discontinue its 30-year-old annual food security survey and report. The statement can be attributed to Rev. Eugene Cho, president and CEO of Bread for the World.

“Bread for the World urges the USDA to reverse the discontinuation of the annual food insecurity survey and the accompanying Household Food Security in the United States report. The household food security report, produced by the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), is the cornerstone of understanding how families experience food insecurity, especially those with children, and how they cope with this hardship.

“For the past three decades, both the survey and report have provided key indicators related to food access, food hardship, and the well-being of America’s children and families. The report also provides important data that helps local, state, and federal officials and lawmakers make informed policy decisions regarding nutrition program access.

“According to the most recent household food security report, in 2023, 47.4 million people – including 13.8 million children, were food insecure in the United States. As the wealthiest country in the world, the U.S. should work to ensure that every child has access to the nutritious food they need to be healthy and flourish. Without an accurate understanding of the number of people, including children, facing food insecurity, we cannot address food insecurity effectively in our country.

“Again, Bread strongly urges the USDA to reverse the discontinuation of the annual food security survey and report so that we can continue to make informed decisions on addressing hunger and securing food access for children and families.”