Evergreen Reporter

Groceries have emerged as the most challenging expense for Washington residents, according to the latest WAFOOD survey. Rising food prices and the end of pandemic-era assistance programs are contributing to economic pressures on households across the state.

The Washington State Food Security Surveys (WAFOOD) is a collaborative effort by the University of Washington and Washington State University, with support from WSDA. Since 2020, these surveys have provided insights into food insecurity trends and the use of food assistance to guide policy decisions and strategies.

Governor Bob Ferguson expressed concern over the issue, stating: “Too many Washingtonians are struggling with food insecurity and the high cost of food. The federal government’s policies risk making the problem worse. That’s why I worked to stop a merger of grocery giants that would have raised prices. And its why I’m working with the Legislature to ensure that every student in K-12 schools has access to free meals. We must center the people, address food prices, and protect critical access to food assistance.”

The fifth wave of surveys, conducted from August to October 2024, highlighted uneven impacts of food insecurity. Households with children, larger households, lower-income households, and those with Black, American Indian/Alaskan Native or multi-racial respondents reported higher levels of insecurity.

Key findings include:

- 78% noticed price increases in the past month; 82% worried about future hikes.

- 70% of food-insecure respondents reduced their food quantity and quality due to costs.

- Among those surveyed who used food assistance last month (55%), programs like SNAP, school meals, and local pantries were frequently utilized.

- Stress-related issues such as anxiety and depression were prevalent among these households, with 84% reporting high stress levels.

Further details can be found on UW's WAFOOD project page.