Somewhere in Collin County, a mom is standing in her kitchen trying to figure out how she will feed her 10-year-old. Fresh fruits and vegetables are no longer in her budget. Some days all she can afford is rice.
It’s a difficult reality, and one that many families are facing.
A new poll from No Kid Hungry Texas, conducted by Aspect Strategic, reveals what so many families across the state are struggling with: a food affordability crisis that is forcing impossible choices, straining finances, and taking a real toll on the health and well-being of parents and children alike.
The Numbers Tell the Story
More than 4 in 5 Texans say the cost of food is rising faster than their income. For families with children, that pressure is even heavier, with 3 in 5 saying it’s hard to make sure their household has enough nutritious food, and more than half saying their family’s diet is less nutritious than it was just one year ago.
To make ends meet, families are making trade-offs that no family should have to make. Nearly 8 in 10 parents report having to choose between buying food and paying for other essentials such as gas, rent, car repairs, and medical bills. And nearly half have taken on debt just to be able to afford groceries.
More than 3 in 4 Texans say rising food costs have damaged their financial situation, but the toll goes beyond the bank account. More than half say their mental health, physical health, and nutrition have declined. These are not abstract statistics. They are families in our communities, the parents we see at the grocery store, and the kids our children play with at the park. They are Texans doing everything they can to keep their families fed.
Despite the hardship, Texans remain clear-eyed about the solutions. 3 in 4 say SNAP helps parents afford enough food for their families, and 3 in 4 believe SNAP supports local businesses where participants spend their benefits, proof that investing in families is an investment in communities.
This matters more than ever. In the past year alone, 650,000 Texans, including more than 310,000 kids, have lost access to SNAP as federal cuts have gone into effect. Those losses don’t just affect grocery budgets. They threaten access to free school meals, and entire school districts are already feeling the impact.
The message from Texans on what should happen next is overwhelming and bipartisan: 9 in 10 want their elected officials to do more. And 89% say school meals should be free for all students who need them.
The Time to Act Is Now
At No Kid Hungry Texas, this data reinforces what we see every day on the ground: in the lines at summer meal sites, in the schools working to make sure every child is fed, and in the partners across the state showing up for their communities no matter what.
