Mesa County has more mouths to feed than ever before, according to a new report that found youth food insecurity had risen by more than 14%, leaving roughly 6,570 hungry children in the Grand Valley.
With the increase to 20.3%, approximately one in five county children face chronic hunger — above the national average of 18.4%.
Child hunger saw an even larger jump across the whole Western Slope, with Food Bank of the Rockies reporting a 23% increase, to a similar rate of one in five children being food insecure. According to Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Community Relations and Development Director Amber Henning, the trend highlights how ongoing affordability challenges are especially impacting families.
Courtesy of Feeding America
A map of Colorado illustrates the latest food insecurity rates by county, as determined in Feeding America’s 2026 Map the Meal Gap Report. The report stated that Mesa County had an overall food insecurity rate of 14%, compared to the statewide average of 13.3%, though rates went as high as 21.8% in Otero County, near Pueblo.
Courtesy of Feeding America
“While this is a stark number, you can see why it’s affecting children: because our families are really feeling that pinch. Across the Western Slope, a meal costs a little over $4 on average.
“When you’ve got so many (other) increasing costs, it’s easy to see that people are now having to make those choices between whether I put food on the table, make that doctor visit, purchase that insurance or fill up my gas tank … Thinking about the fact that people have to make those choices, that’s really the disheartening piece of it,” Henning said.
Feeding America’s 2026 Map the Meal Gap report, released Tuesday, offers a look at the latest available food insecurity data (across 2024) at the national, state and county levels.
Compared to youth, the report found that Mesa County’s overall food insecurity rate grew minimally, from 13.7% in 2023 to 14%. That translates to approximately 22,000 residents.
Food insecurity numbers by the region
MESA COUNTY
Food insecurity rate: 14% (22,200 individuals)Change from year prior: Increased by 0.3%, or 640 people, from 13.7% (21,560 people)Average cost per meal: $3.81Annual food budget shortfall: $16 millionEstimated SNAP eligibility: 64%
*WESTERN SLOPE
Food insecurity rate: ‘One in eight,’ or roughly 12.5%Change from year prior: N/AAverage cost per meal: $4.18Annual food budget shortfall: $47.2 millionEstimated SNAP eligibility: N/A
*The ‘Western Slope’ region includes 13 counties: Delta, Eagle, Garfield, Lake, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, Routt, San Miguel and Summit.
COLORADO
Food insecurity rate: 13.3% (790,510 people)Change from year prior: Increased by roughly half a percent (45,560 people) from 12.7%Average cost per meal: $3.80Annual food budget shortfall: $570.5 millionEstimated SNAP eligibility: 49%
NATION
Food insecurity rate: 14.4%, or 47.9 million peopleChange from year prior: Increased by 0.1%Average cost per meal: $3.70Annual food budget shortfall: $33.6 billionEstimated SNAP eligibility: 43%
The county’s overall food insecurity rate fell short of the national average by just 0.4%, though it was roughly 1% and 2% higher than the statewide and Western Slope rates, respectively. The report also highlights a gap in the government’s hunger safety net, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as EBT.
Of the 22,000 county residents facing food insecurity in 2024, more than a third (nearly 8,000) earn above the SNAP eligibility threshold. The rate of food-insecure individuals ineligible for SNAP statewide is even higher, at 51%.
Courtesy of Food Bank of the Rockies
Food Bank of the Rockies Western Slope Community Relations and Development Director Amber Henning said the food bank remains stable — despite a surge in food and gas costs — largely due to an uptick in community donations and philanthropy that started last November, when the government shutdown disrupted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payments for about two weeks.
Courtesy of Food Bank of the Rockies
“They’re in this spot where they don’t have that bridge (they need) to just maintain stability in their world,” Henning said. “They’re in this area where they don’t need support, according to the federal government, but … there’s still that gap from how (costs are not) letting up and how that’s affecting the bottom line of people trying to thrive.”
Coloradans must earn a gross income under 200% of the federal poverty level to qualify for SNAP, which currently translates to a $66,000 maximum for a family of four. Though the report’s data is from 2024, Henning said its findings offer a glimpse into the ongoing rise in needs the organization continues to witness firsthand.
She added that Food Bank of the Rockies has worked diligently to respond to the growing demand, often made possible by financial support from community members, the state and other partners.
“But there are also capacity issues for everybody. As an organization, we are also feeling the same strains our neighbors are feeling.” Henning said. “It’s more expensive to do business — to pay for gas, freight and food — so we’re trying to come up with ways (to) fill that gap so the amount of food that goes out to the communities doesn’t just stay the same, but grows and increases, as this need is clearly not going away anytime soon.”
Just one example of that can be found in the organization’s 2025 annual report, which stated that its purchasing power can stretch a $1 donation into three meals, but just a few years prior, that $1 could cover four meals.
Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel
Volunteer Bella Christensen laughs while talking to another volunteer and helping load gallons of milk into vehicles during a Food Bank of the Rockies mobile food pantry at Clifton Christian Church on Nov. 22, 2025. Western Slope Food Bank of the Rockies Executive Director Sue Ellen Rodwick said they have had to become increasingly innovative in how they get resources to people in need, and foundation funding has undoubtedly played a role.
Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel
Nonetheless, Henning said the food bank’s buying power remains a critical tool in meeting the persistent need for nutrition assistance amid a tightening economy.
“What I really want people to understand is that the numbers are important, but it’s what we do with them that matters. We know food prices are high; we know they’re going to remain high; we know federal support is declining.
“(But) we can look at these findings to bring the power of community together and ensure people will know where that next meal will come from. Remember the people (behind the numbers), and remember that we as a community have the power to help get people the food they need to thrive,” Henning said.
Those interested in learning more about the Western Colorado Food Bank of the Rockies, volunteering or making a donation can visit www.foodbankrockies.org/about/western-slope/.
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