VA data finds veterans are more than 7% more likely to experience food insecurity

Veterans are 7.4% more likely to experience food insecurity than non-veterans, according to data from the VA's Office of Health Equity. (Source: “VA Launches 18th Food Hub as Veterans 7.4% More Likely to Experience Food Insecurity,” Military, Sept. 28).
 
Experts attribute this gap to high rates of service-related disabilities, PTSD, and transitional civilian employment hurdles. Furthermore, social stigma and bureaucratic rules often prevent veterans from accessing traditional safety nets like SNAP.
 
Twenty years ago, veteran hunger was largely untracked by the federal government. By 2016, data revealed 27% of post-9/11 veterans suffered from food insecurity—numbers that spiked to 20% across all military families five years ago during the COVID pandemic.