Rising food prices are forcing painful trade-offs for families across Florida. While parents are doing their best to provide for their children, grocery costs are outpacing incomes – stretching household budgets to the breaking point. Many are now facing growing debt and difficult choices between food and other essentials like rent, healthcare, or transportation.
A recent statewide poll by Change Research for No Kid Hungry Florida highlights the toll: 85% of Floridians say food costs are rising faster than their earnings, and more than half report taking on new debt as a result. The burden falls hardest on families with children, middle-income households, and women of color – 63% of whom say their food-related debt has increased over the past year. Families also report worsening physical and mental health tied to these financial pressures, with many saying their diets are less nutritious than a year ago.
Summer brings added strain. Without reliable access to school meals, 68% of families say they take on more debt during summer months. That’s why there’s growing support for solutions like the federal Summer EBT program, also known as SUN Bucks which would help eligible families buy groceries when school is out. Though Florida hasn’t opted in, 82% of Floridians support participation. With nearly all agreeing that no child should go hungry, the message is clear: families need leaders to act now.
Explore the full poll findings below to learn more about how Floridians are being affected—and why action to address rising food costs and support programs like SUN Bucks is more urgent than ever.
