Learn
Hunger in Indiana: How Many Hoosiers Face Food Insecurity, County by County
Quick answer
About 1 in 7 Hoosiers faces food insecurity across Gleaners Food Bank's 21-county central and southeastern Indiana service area, and children are affected at even higher rates. Food insecurity means not having reliable access to enough nutritious food, and it reaches into every county: urban and rural, working families and seniors alike.
1 in 7 Hoosiers is facing hunger
in Gleaners' 21-county service area.
experience food insecurity, with higher rates among children.
across the 21-county area and to food banks nationwide.
pantries, mobile distributions, and programs for children and seniors.
across central and southeastern Indiana.
What food insecurity means
Food insecurity is not the same as constant hunger. It describes households that, at times during the year, lack reliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food, often forcing trade-offs between groceries and other essentials like rent, utilities, or medicine.
The scale in Indiana
Roughly 1 in 7 people in Gleaners' service area experiences food insecurity. Behind that ratio are working parents, older adults on fixed incomes, and children who may not know where their next meal is coming from. To meet the need, Gleaners distributed more than 100 million meals in 2025 across its 21-county area and to food banks nationwide.
Who is affected
Hunger crosses every demographic. Children are especially vulnerable, and food insecurity among kids tends to run higher than among adults, which is why school-year and summer meal programs matter so much. Seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, and employed adults whose wages do not cover rising costs are all part of the picture.
Why it varies county by county
Food insecurity is not evenly distributed. Densely populated Marion County includes neighborhoods with limited grocery access, while surrounding and southeastern rural counties can face transportation barriers and fewer nearby resources. National data efforts such as Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap illustrate how rates differ from county to county, helping food banks target where need is greatest.
The root causes
The drivers include the rising cost of housing and food, wages that have not kept pace, unexpected expenses, and "benefits cliffs" where a small raise can reduce assistance faster than income rises. These forces mean many food-insecure households include someone who is working.
How the community responds
Gleaners and its roughly 300 partner agencies form a safety net that spans all 21 counties: pantries, mobile distributions, and programs targeting children and seniors. Community volunteers, donors, and advocates power that response.
Frequently asked questions
How many people in Indiana face hunger?
About 1 in 7 people in Gleaners' 21-county service area and more than 1 million Hoosiers statewide experience food insecurity, with higher rates among children.
What is the difference between hunger and food insecurity?
Food insecurity is the lack of reliable access to enough nutritious food; hunger is a physical consequence that can result from it.
Which counties does Gleaners serve?
Gleaners serves 21 counties across central and southeastern Indiana.
How can I help reduce hunger in Indiana?
Volunteer, donate, host a food drive, or advocate, and share resources so neighbors in need can find food.