An increasing share of American adults are going hungry

New data from Morning Consult reveals that more Americans are going hungry, a shocking trend in the wealthiest country in the world. This comes at a time when the stock market is hitting record highs and President Trump has signed a bill slashing food benefits. The rise in food insecurity is like a slow-moving train wreck, with a disconnect between Wall Street's success and the struggles of everyday people. The share of adults who are food insecure has been increasing over the past few years, with 15.6% of adults experiencing food insecurity in May. This rate is almost double what it was in 2021, when Congress had increased SNAP benefits and expanded the Child Tax Credit. The current rate appears higher than pre-pandemic levels, with federal data showing that food insecurity was already above pre-COVID levels in 2023. Demand for food is up 120% from three years ago at the Philadelphia-area food bank network, with executive director George Matysik attributing the increase to the withdrawal of government support in 2022. The recent cut to food benefits, or SNAP, is likely to make the situation worse, with millions expected to lose benefits and receive less. The cuts, which include tightened work requirements and reduced exemptions, aim to push people into the labor market and reduce dependence on government assistance. Overall, Americans are increasingly struggling to afford food, and the situation is expected to worsen in the coming years.