[DRR] Food Insecurity Interventions by US Public Libraries

A Deep Research Report ("DRR") is an AI-generated research report based on AI-gathered research materials. An AI agent is instructed to conduct research and synthesize the results, including sources and references.

Public libraries in the United States are increasingly stepping up to address food insecurity in their communities, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent access to enough nutritious food, affects about one in ten U.S. households, with rates nearly three times higher among low-income families. The pandemic worsened this issue, creating what observers called a potential “hunger cliff” as emergency benefits ended.

In response, libraries—trusted, free-to-all institutions embedded in neighborhoods—have broadened their missions to include food assistance. By 2023, almost half of U.S. public libraries were involved in food distribution programs for youth, and nearly a third were providing food for adults.

These efforts take many forms, including in-house food pantries, community gardens, “freedges” (free community refrigerators), seed libraries, mobile pantry events, and free meal programs.

This report examines a range of library-led or library-hosted initiatives launched after 2020, highlighting case studies, outcomes, funding models, and partnerships. It also explores how these interventions align with libraries’ broader missions of promoting health, equity, and community engagement.