Hunger and Heart Health: Understanding Food Insecurity in 2025

Nov 5

Hunger in America: November 2025 Update

Hunger in America remains a pervasive and pressing issue, underscoring the urgent need for collective action. Despite being one of the wealthiest nations in the world, millions of Americans face food insecurity every day. According to the most recent data, approximately 13.5 percent of U.S. households—about 18 million households—experienced food insecurity at some point during 2023. In human terms, that represents nearly 47 million Americans who were uncertain about when or where their next meal would come.

Food insecurity affects both urban and rural communities, influenced by income inequality, rising living costs, and unexpected life events. These conditions directly impact health, particularly cardiovascular wellness, which depends on reliable access to nutritious food.

Rising Costs and Uncertain Assistance

In 2025, the struggle to afford healthy food is intensified by inflation and fluctuating grocery prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that the cost of food at home has increased more than 25 percent since 2019, and while overall inflation has slowed, prices for basic staples—milk, eggs, bread, produce, and lean protein—remain elevated.

At the same time, changes to national nutrition-assistance programs have created uncertainty for many families. In several states, households have faced longer processing times or reduced benefit levels. These disruptions, combined with persistently high grocery prices, have forced working families, seniors on fixed incomes, and single parents into difficult trade-offs—groceries or gas, medication or meals.

These compounding pressures reveal how external economic factors directly affect an individual’s ability to make heart-healthy choices.

Understanding Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is defined as the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. It can lead to poor dietary choices that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Nationally, about 13.5 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2023, with higher rates among families with children, single-parent households, and residents of rural communities. The holiday season often amplifies these struggles, as families strive to create joy amid limited resources.

Children and School-Lunch Programs

Children are among the most vulnerable to hunger. Many depend on subsidized school-lunch programs as their primary source of nutrition. In some U.S. counties, child food-insecurity rates approach 20 percent nationally, with certain rural areas exceeding 40 percent.

Benita Zahn, CPHWC, NBC-HWC, at Capital Cardiology Associates, notes that food insecurity can also affect emotional well-being and social belonging.

“We do not want it to be all about food and sweets,” she says, “but there are food options that are special and nutritious.”

She offers a simple, compassionate approach for families facing limited means:

“The holidays are synonymous with bounty. But for children living with food insecurity, it can be a time of heightened deprivation. During vacation, when school is closed, there is no free lunch—often their heartiest meal of the day. While the adults at home may trim their plates to feed the children, the kids may still yearn for a taste of the holidays. A trip to the food pantry can serve dual roles. By selecting items like chickpeas, peanut butter, oatmeal, raisins, fresh cranberries, and bananas, families can create wholesome treats so the taste of the holidays packs a nutritious punch.”

Voices from the Supermarket

Community members often share the same concerns when faced with the rising cost of living. Sarah, a mother of two, describes the balance between festive expectations and financial constraints. “We want to make the holidays special,” she explains, “but even a simple dinner feels expensive this year.”

Mark, a father of three, expresses a similar worry: “We are working harder than ever, and it still feels like less food in the cart.”

Their stories are not isolated—they reflect a broader, regional reality in which families who appear stable on paper are quietly struggling to stay nourished.

Practical and Healthy Choices on a Budget

Meal Planning
Plan weekly meals to reduce waste and maximize resources. Choose heart-healthy foods such as lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Amanda Travis, MS, RD, CDN, recommends checking grocery-store apps or weekly fliers for healthy items on sale and focusing on in-season produce such as apples, beets, cauliflower, collard greens, broccoli, and carrots.
Buy in Bulk
Purchasing staples in bulk lowers costs over time. Stock up on healthy shelf-stable items such as low-sodium canned vegetables, canned fruit in 100 percent juice, instant brown rice, canned tuna, and oatmeal.
Couponing and Discounts
Explore store loyalty programs and digital coupons for nutritious foods. Small savings accumulated over time can significantly stretch a household grocery budget.
Community Resources
Engage with local food banks and community programs. These organizations provide pantry staples and fresh produce while fostering a sense of belonging and shared care.
Simple Swaps
Substitute frozen vegetables for fresh ones, choose generic brands, and add plant-based proteins such as beans, lentils, and tofu. These changes reduce costs without sacrificing nutrition.

Community Action and Collective Care

During the holiday season, extending a helping hand to those experiencing hunger is one of the most meaningful ways to share compassion. Capital Cardiology Associates proudly supports two vital local organizations—the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and Capital Roots—both of which play a key role in fighting hunger across the Capital Region.

CCA Holiday Food Drive 2025

Help Us Fight Hunger This Holiday Season

Capital Cardiology Associates will be collecting:

Dry and canned goods / personal-care items
📅 November 17 – 21
🕗 8 AM – 4 PM
📍 All CCA locations – Albany, Troy, Clifton Park, and Niskayuna
Benefiting the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York
Fresh produce donations
📅 November 21 only
🕗 8 AM – 11 AM
📍 Southwoods location only (7 Southwoods Boulevard, Albany, NY 12211)
Benefiting Capital Roots

Drop boxes will be provided at all CCA locations for convenience.

Your support makes a real difference. Together, we can ensure that everyone in our community has access to nourishing meals during the holidays and beyond.

For more information about CCA’s Community Giving initiatives, visit
👉 www.capitalcardiology.com/cca-gives-back.

By John Bulmer, Public Information Officer with contributions from Dr. Benita Zahn, DPS, MS, CPHWC, NBC-HWC and Amanda Travis, MS, RD, CDN.

HungerFood DriveCapital RootsFood InsecurityCCA Gives Back