Making Hunger Visible
Hunger affects people everywhere in Chicago and Cook County, from the city to the suburbs. One in six residents of our community turns to the Food Depository’s member network each year for nutritious food. Explore the map for information on where hunger exists.
Looking for food insecurity rates in your neighborhood? Explore our interactive Community Data Map. Use Census data to view local statistics on poverty and food insecurity.
Everyone can contribute to ending hunger. Volunteer, advocate, or donate to assist us in our mission.
Cook County Food Access Plan
The Greater Chicago Food Depository has partnered with Cook County to create the Cook County Food Access Plan. This plan builds on existing resources to increase access to nutritious food for households in need and create new solutions to food insecurity. The two-year plan is being implemented by the Cook County Food Access Task Force. It focuses on three initial goals:
- Expanding a food insecurity screening and referral system at Cook County Health and Hospitals System locations to increase patient access to community food resources as needed.
- Creating a Suburban Cook County Child Nutrition work group to increase student access and participation in School Breakfast and Summer Meals programs.
- Growing the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and incentive programs at farmers markets and farm stands throughout Cook County.
Read the full Cook County Food Access Plan.
Forward Together: A Roadmap to Reduce Food Insecurity
The City of Chicago partnered with the Food Depository on a roadmap to reduce food insecurity in our city. This roadmap builds on existing resources to increase access to nutritious food while exploring new solutions to reduce hunger and poverty.