Food insecurity in Montgomery County declined to 31% in the latest Capital Area Food Bank Hunger Report, making it the only county in the Greater Washington region to record a decrease this year. The rate fell from 35% to 31%, although the report notes that the four-percentage-point change was within the survey’s margin of error.
The 2026 report found that food insecurity across the region reached a five-year high, with 38% of households experiencing food insecurity during the past year. Prince George’s County recorded the highest county-level rate at 56%, up from 49% in the previous report.
Craig Rice, CEO of Manna Food Center, said the Montgomery County numbers represent progress but cautioned that the level remains too high. He credited sustained County investment, public-private partnerships and community support for the local decline.
“The Capital Area Food Bank’s 2026 Hunger Report confirms what our teams and partners see every day: food insecurity across the region remains stubbornly high, and the need in Prince George’s County, now at 56%, is deeply alarming.
Here in Montgomery County, we’ve made progress. Food insecurity has come down to 31%, and we are the only county in the region moving in the right direction this year. That didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of sustained county government investment, strong public-private partnerships, and a community that has shown up for its neighbors, with one of our most trusted partners, CAFB, alongside us every step of the way. But 31% is still far too high, and we’re by no means declaring victory. We know we still have work to do right here at home, and that remains our priority.
At the same time, we can’t look at this data and ignore what’s happening just across the county line. Montgomery County’s trajectory shows that a coordinated, community-rooted approach can bend the curve on hunger, and we believe that lesson has value beyond our own borders. Manna is paying close attention to what’s happening in Prince George’s County, and we’re actively exploring how we can be a stronger partner to their organizations and residents.
No family in our region should have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for housing, healthcare, medication, or simply keeping the lights on. We remain deeply committed to serving Montgomery County while standing alongside neighbors across the region wherever our support can make a meaningful difference.”
The Hunger Report is based on a survey conducted by the Capital Area Food Bank and NORC at the University of Chicago. The 2026 survey included 3,804 adults across the region, including 537 in Montgomery County and 512 in Prince George’s County. The county-level margins of error were plus or minus 6.5 percentage points for Montgomery County and 6.1 points for Prince George’s County.
