USDA Ends Annual Household Food Security Report, Citing ‘Politicization’

According to the most recent version of the Household Food Security Report for 2022-2023, food insecurity is on the rise in the U.S.

food.jpg

WASHINGTON (RFD-TV) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will discontinue its long-running Household Food Security Report beginning in 2025, bringing an end to nearly three decades of federal tracking on hunger in America.

In a press release published on Saturday evening, the USDA framed the change by calling the reports “redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous” and doing “nothing more than fear monger.” The statement reflects a sharp break from the agency’s typically technical tone, underscoring how politically sensitive the issue of hunger measurement has become.

Launched in the mid-1990s, the survey has provided annual data on the prevalence of food insecurity across U.S. households.

The report’s cancellation comes at an interesting time — that is, when food insecurity is on the rise in the U.S., according to the most recent version of the Household Food Security Report (PDF version) for 2022-2023.

The 2024 edition of the report, covering 2023 data, is still expected to be released later this year. However, the USDA maintains that “a bevy of more timely and accurate data sets” will fill the gap.

———

The complete statement from the USDA reads:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the termination of future Household Food Security Reports. These redundant, costly, politicized, and extraneous studies do nothing more than fear monger.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Press Release, “USDA Terminates Redundant Food Insecurity Survey,” September 20, 2025
Related Stories
NCGA Chief Economist Krista Swanson discusses the evolving role of ethanol in the current energy crisis, opportunities for expanding corn discusses the evolving role of ethanol in the current marketdemand, and the industry’s outlook moving forward.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins surveys Nebraska wildfire damage as cattle losses, tight supplies, rising imports, and beef industry investigations impact U.S. markets. Roger McEowen outlines legal and tax considerations for ranchers recovering from wildfire damage.
Spring Weather Creates Uneven Early Season Field Conditions
USDA Cattle-on-Feed report for March shows slightly lower inventory and higher February placements, signaling a tighter supply but steady outlook for the U.S. cattle herd.
The Midwest event will feature hundreds of horses and offer nationwide bidding access to participants
Ranchers have a lot going on at the moment, but some ‘friendly’ news could be coming with this month’s Cattle-on-Feed Report from the USDA.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Fall is one of the best times of the year when it comes to seasonal produce! Save this list to have on hand for harvest season when you hit your local grocery store, farmers market, or CSA!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) appointed Dr. Jaye L. Hamby as the new Director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
In a call with reporters on Tuesday, RFD-TV News reporter Lily Raby asked Senate Ag Committee member Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for his opinion on Des Moines school leaders’ decisions to halt ag education programs, which also threatens the future of the city’s FFA chapter.
Trinity Barth and Liliann Tjaden-Duff joined us on Market Day Report to express their concerns about the future of the program that has, for 50 years, given students of all backgrounds a path to agriculture careers.
Citi Bank is sounding the alarm about a convincing new banking scam leaving customers confused and cashless.
The California Farm Bureau introduces us to Aussie, its 2024 Farm Dog of the Year! Aussie’s proved nothing—not even the loss of a limb—can stop her from protecting her farm and family.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.