(KMDL-FM) Louisiana unwittingly participates in an unusually cruel conundrum just about every day. Food is a major part of our culture, and we often spend time during our waking hours discussing what we’ve had to eat or what we want to eat. Meanwhile, about 20% of our state’s population isn’t sure they will even have a next meal.
Photo by Siegfried Poepperl on Unsplashwhite and gold ceramic round plate
Food insecurity is a real issue that is growing bigger in Louisiana and across the nation every day. As prices continue to rise and paychecks don’t match the pace of inflation, the ability of a wage earner to provide for their family seems to be reduced with almost every paycheck.
Louisiana’s Older Citizens Suffer From Food Insecurity Every Day
About 14% of Louisiana seniors experience food insecurity. I don’t think any of us really want to conjure an image of a Cajun MeMaw who is hungry; that’s heartbreaking. And that’s why local food banks are so important to so many in our community.
READ MORE: These Louisiana Parishes Receive the Most SNAP Benefits
Feeding America tracks hunger and food insecurity across the nation, and they have recently updated its Map the Meal Gap Study. This is the only national study that estimates food insecurity rates and meal costs on a parish-by-parish basis.
How Are the Average Prices for Meals in Each Parish Calculated?
The study uses grocery store prices to calculate the average cost of a meal in a particular parish. It also measures the financial gap between the income level is needed to provide and what is currently being earned.
Photo by Tara Clark on Unsplashwoman in white coat holding green shopping cart
Using the Map the Meal Gap Interactive Tool you can hover your cursor above any parish in Louisiana and see the statistics for that parish populate. For example, in Lafayette Parish, the average meal cost is estimated to be $3.81. While in Lake Charles, that cost is $3.73, and in Alexandria the cost is estimated to be $3.51. The highest meal cost average in the state is in Orleans Parish where the average is $4.17.
READ MORE: Here’s What Happened to Your SNAP Benefits on October 1, 2026
You can also see the food insecurity rate for each parish and see how much of a financial gap there is between current income levels and income levels that need to be earned to eliminate food insecurity. Unfortunately, about 20% of Louisiana’s population would count themselves among the food insecure, and that includes a lot of families.
How to Save at the Grocery Store
Food prices are still going up, but there are ways to save.
A few small changes today could save you hundreds of dollars over the next year.
Gallery Credit: Unsplash/TSM
Dining and Cooking