Food insecurity has reached alarming levels in central Illinois, with recent data showing that more than 13% of residents in the region struggle to access enough food. The latest “Map the Meal Gap” report from Feeding America and the Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) highlights a growing crisis, driven by rising food prices and reduced funding for food assistance programs.
Within EIF’s 18-county service area, which includes Champaign, Piatt, and Vermilion counties, over 143,000 people are food insecure. Nearly 40,000 of these are children, underscoring the widespread impact on families.
- Champaign County: 13.9% food insecurity rate
- Vermilion County: 15.5% food insecurity rate (the highest among the three)
- Piatt County: 9.9% food insecurity rate
These rates have increased in the past year, as have national food insecurity levels as 47 million Americans faced food insecurity in 2023, the highest number in more than a decade.
A significant challenge is that more than 40% of individuals experiencing hunger in the region may not qualify for federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP due to income restrictions. In Eastern Illinois, this figure is even higher at 44%, meaning many families must rely solely on charitable food programs to meet their needs.
Lawmakers under the Trump administration are actively pursuing significant cuts and restrictions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). House Republicans have introduced legislation that would sharply reduce federal spending on SNAP.
Key elements of the proposed changes include:
- Forcing states to pay a portion of SNAP benefits and administrative costs, shifting financial responsibility away from the federal government.
- Expanding and tightening work requirements, raising the age for mandatory work participation from 54 to 64 for able-bodied adults without dependents, and reducing exemptions for those facing employment barriers.
- Imposing stricter eligibility criteria and administrative hurdles, such as more rigorous identity verification and income documentation, which could cause eligible recipients to lose benefits due to paperwork delays.
- Prohibiting future increases to SNAP benefit amounts by limiting updates to the Thrifty Food Plan, the formula used to calculate benefit levels.
Even under current conditions, children are especially at risk. Nationally, child food insecurity is present in every county, and in some areas, rates approach 50%. In central Illinois, nearly 29% of children facing hunger may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Older adults are also vulnerable, with nearly 15% of Champaign County residents aged 65 or older and facing unique challenges related to food access and affordability.
Local organizations, including EIF and a network of over 160 food pantries and agencies, are working to address the crisis. Initiatives like the annual Feeding Champaign County Food Summit bring together community leaders to coordinate efforts and develop strategies for improving food access. However, the increasing demand is straining resources, as the cost per meal has risen to $3.99, its highest point in two decades.
