Food insecurity rates in the Washington region remain at critically high levels, with 1.5 million people facing uncertainty about their next meal, according to a report released by the Capital Area Food Bank.

The organization’s annual hunger report, released Thursday, found 36% of respondents struggled to access enough food between May 2024 and May 2025, virtually unchanged from 37% in 2024 but up from 32% in 2023.

More concerning, the report found very low food security — when people skip meals or eat smaller portions — has worsened significantly. That category now affects 820,000 adults in the region, representing 22% of the population, up from 16% in 2022.

“No one should have to worry about whether they’ll be able to put food on the table tomorrow, but that very concern is weighing o

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