Report: Three West Michigan counties in top 50 list of high food insecurity rate

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A new report detailed the top 50 most food insecure counties in the state.

Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for all people in a household to live a healthy, active life, according to Feeding America.

The report, created by Stacker, compiled the list by taking counties with the highest percent of population with food insecurity as of 2019.

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Three West Michigan counties made that top 50 list: St. Joseph, Berrien and Calhoun counties.

St. Joseph County came in at number 50, with a 13.8% food insecurity rate. That's 26.6% higher than the national rate.

Berrien County followed at number 49, also with a 13.8% food insecurity rate.

Coming in at number 40 is Calhoun County, according to the report. Calhoun County has a 14.2% food insecurity rate, which is 30.3% higher than the national average.

Throughout 2019, the United State Department of Agriculture estimated about 90% of households were food secure.

The COVID-19 pandemic put further strain on households already experiencing food hardship.

Feeding America estimated that 42 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, would possibly experience food insecurity in 2021, according to "The Impact of the Coronavirus on Food Insecurity in 2020 & 2021" report from March 2021.

Full list:

#50. St. Joseph County

• Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (8,370 total).
• 26.6% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 15.2% (2,290 total).
• 4.1% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,950,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.76.

#49. Berrien County

• Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (21,200 total).
• 26.6% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (5,600 total).
• 13.0% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $11,362,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.14.

#48. Ingham County

• Food insecurity rate: 13.8% (40,100 total).
• 26.6% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 13.9% (8,050 total).
• 4.8% lower than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $21,712,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.17.

#47. Menominee County

• Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (3,210 total).
• 27.5% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 14.6% (620 total).
• 0.0% lower than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,784,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.25.

#46. Montcalm County

• Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (8,840 total).
• 27.5% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (2,120 total).
• 2.1% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $4,508,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.98.

#45. Marquette County

• Food insecurity rate: 13.9% (9,260 total).
• 27.5% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 13.2% (1,590 total).
• 9.6% lower than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $5,413,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.42.

#44. Oceana County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.0% (3,700 total).
• 28.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 15.5% (940 total).
• 6.2% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,210,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.49.

#43. Otsego County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (3,460 total).
• 29.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (800 total).
• 5.5% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,719,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.91.

#42. Wexford County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (4,680 total).
• 29.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (1,190 total).
• 5.5% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,221,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.78.

#41. Hillsdale County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.1% (6,460 total).
• 29.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 15.8% (1,590 total).
• 8.2% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,107,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.81.

#40. Calhoun County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.2% (19,030 total).
• 30.3% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.4% (5,050 total).
• 12.3% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $9,866,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.03.

#39. Alger County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (1,310 total).
• 31.2% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 15.7% (220 total).
• 7.5% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $703,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.14.

#38. Newaygo County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (6,910 total).
• 31.2% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,810 total).
• 13.0% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,407,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.88.

#37. Bay County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.3% (14,920 total).
• 31.2% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (3,550 total).
• 14.4% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $7,492,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.94.

#36. Iron County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (1,610 total).
• 32.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.1% (290 total).
• 10.3% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $855,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.11.

#35. Gratiot County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (5,880 total).
• 32.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 14.7% (1,200 total).
• 0.7% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,955,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.94.

#34. Saginaw County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.4% (27,570 total).
• 32.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 17.9% (7,410 total).
• 22.6% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $13,879,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.94.

#33. Mason County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (4,210 total).
• 33.0% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.9% (1,000 total).
• 15.8% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,003,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.78.

#32. Tuscola County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.5% (7,680 total).
• 33.0% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (1,780 total).
• 11.0% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,744,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.85.

#31. Missaukee County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.6% (2,190 total).
• 33.9% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.0% (560 total).
• 9.6% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,152,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.08.

#30. Baraga County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.7% (1,240 total).
• 34.9% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (270 total).
• 24.7% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $708,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.34.

#29. Delta County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.8% (5,340 total).
• 35.8% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 15.4% (1,110 total).
• 5.5% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,618,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.87.

#28. Alpena County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.9% (4,250 total).
• 36.7% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 14.9% (800 total).
• 2.1% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,304,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.17.

#27. Sanilac County

• Food insecurity rate: 14.9% (6,140 total).
• 36.7% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.6% (1,480 total).
• 13.7% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,049,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.91.

#26. Houghton County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.0% (5,420 total).
• 37.6% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 12.4% (900 total).
• 15.1% lower than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,008,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.25.

#25. Ontonagon County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (890 total).
• 38.5% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 17.1% (120 total).
• 17.1% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $468,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.07.

#24. Gogebic County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.1% (2,280 total).
• 38.5% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.2% (380 total).
• 11.0% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,189,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.05.

#23. Isabella County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (10,730 total).
• 39.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 13.7% (1,680 total).
• 6.2% lower than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $5,289,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.88.

#22. Genesee County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.2% (61,960 total).
• 39.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 19.4% (17,980 total).
• 32.9% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $32,292,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.05.

#21. Presque Isle County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.3% (1,940 total).
• 40.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 18.8% (390 total).
• 28.8% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,021,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.08.

#20. Mecosta County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.4% (6,660 total).
• 41.3% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 16.7% (1,340 total).
• 14.4% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,158,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.77.

#19. Osceola County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (3,610 total).
• 42.2% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 18.2% (960 total).
• 24.7% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,642,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.66.

#18. Wayne County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.5% (271,600 total).
• 42.2% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 21.6% (90,140 total).
• 47.9% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $144,046,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.10.

#17. Kalkaska County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.6% (2,750 total).
• 43.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 17.0% (630 total).
• 16.4% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,447,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.08.

#16. Crawford County

• Food insecurity rate: 15.9% (2,210 total).
• 45.9% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 18.1% (450 total).
• 24.0% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,093,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.89.

#15. Gladwin County

• Food insecurity rate: 16.2% (4,100 total).
• 48.6% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 19.1% (930 total).
• 30.8% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,427,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.46.

#14. Luce County

• Food insecurity rate: 16.3% (1,030 total).
• 49.5% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 20.5% (210 total).
• 40.4% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $554,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.14.

#13. Iosco County

• Food insecurity rate: 16.4% (4,140 total).
• 50.5% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (840 total).
• 39.0% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,167,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.06.

#12. Alcona County

• Food insecurity rate: 16.5% (1,710 total).
• 51.4% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 20.4% (270 total).
• 39.7% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $851,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.91.

#11. Arenac County

• Food insecurity rate: 16.6% (2,500 total).
• 52.3% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 20.3% (550 total).
• 39.0% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,261,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.95.

#10. Oscoda County

• Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (1,390 total).
• 54.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 19.2% (300 total).
• 31.5% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $697,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.93.

#9. Cheboygan County

• Food insecurity rate: 16.8% (4,280 total).
• 54.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 21.4% (910 total).
• 46.6% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,275,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.11.

#8. Chippewa County

• Food insecurity rate: 17.0% (6,390 total).
• 56.0% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 20.7% (1,420 total).
• 41.8% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,376,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.09.

#7. Schoolcraft County

• Food insecurity rate: 17.2% (1,380 total).
• 57.8% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 18.6% (260 total).
• 27.4% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $702,000.

#6. Ogemaw County

• Food insecurity rate: 17.4% (3,640 total).
• 59.6% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 20.8% (800 total).
• 42.5% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,613,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.59.

#5. Mackinac County

• Food insecurity rate: 17.9% (1,930 total).
• 64.2% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 20.2% (340 total).
• 38.4% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,023,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.10.

#4. Montmorency County

• Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (1,660 total).
• 65.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 24.8% (340 total).
• 69.9% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $873,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.08.

#3. Roscommon County

• Food insecurity rate: 18.0% (4,300 total).
• 65.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 24.4% (890 total).
• 67.1% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $2,162,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.94.

#2. Lake County

• Food insecurity rate: 18.1% (2,150 total).
• 66.1% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 24.0% (470 total).
• 64.4% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $1,046,000.
• Cost per meal: $2.85.

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#1. Clare County

• Food insecurity rate: 18.7% (5,730 total).
• 71.6% higher than national average.
• Child food insecurity rate: 23.9% (1,450 total).
• 63.7% higher than national average.
• Annual food budget shortfall: $3,317,000.
• Cost per meal: $3.39.