The Potential for State Policies to Improve Child Food Insecurity – Econofact

Report on Reducing Childhood Food Insecurity through Economic Policies Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

Food insecurity among households with children remains a significant challenge in the United States. In 2023, approximately 18% of households with children experienced food insecurity, with higher rates among those living in poverty. Food insecurity negatively impacts children’s physical and mental health, undermining Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger, and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. While programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are vital, they do not fully eliminate food insecurity. This report emphasizes the role of broader labor and economic policies, such as minimum wage increases and earned income tax credits (EITCs), in enhancing household economic security and reducing childhood food insecurity, thereby contributing to SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

The Issue

1. Food insecurity among children leads to adverse health outcomes, including developmental delays, behavioral challenges, and increased hospitalizations, affecting long-term well-being (SDG 3).
2. Existing food assistance programs like SNAP face administrative and structural limitations, resulting in gaps in food security for vulnerable families (SDG 2).
3. Economic policies that increase income, such as minimum wage laws and EITCs, have potential to reduce food insecurity by improving economic stability (SDG 1, SDG 8).

Key Facts and Findings

• Impact of Food Insecurity on Children’s Health: Food insecure households face uncertainty in acquiring sufficient food, leading to poor health outcomes including higher body mass index and cardiovascular risks in adulthood.
• Limitations of SNAP: Administrative burdens and benefit distribution cycles limit SNAP’s effectiveness, necessitating complementary economic policies to strengthen food security.
• Role of Minimum Wage and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC):
  • The minimum wage sets the legal lowest hourly pay, with increases boosting earnings for low-income workers and providing steady income to support food access.
  • The EITC supplements incomes of low-wage workers, particularly those with children, reducing tax burdens and encouraging employment. Lump-sum refunds often support long-term stability through investments in housing, transportation, and debt reduction.
• State-Level Variations:
  • States differ widely in minimum wage levels and EITC generosity, with more states adopting refundable EITCs over the past 25 years.
  • For example, refundable state EITCs increased from 10 states and DC in 2000 to 23 states and DC in 2021.
  • Minimum wages ranged from $2.65-$7.15 in 2005 to $7.25-$14.49 in 2022 across states.
• Research Evidence on Policy Impact:
  • A 10% increase in minimum wage correlates with a 3.4% reduction in food insecurity among low-education households with children.
  • States with the most generous refundable EITCs (>25% of federal credit) experienced a 10.4% drop in food insecurity among similar households.
• Disparate Effects Across Demographics:
  • Food insecurity rates are over twice as high among single-headed, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Black households compared to married and non-Hispanic White households.
  • More generous state EITCs yield larger reductions in food insecurity for single-parent and non-Hispanic Black households, supporting SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
  • State minimum wage increases show stronger benefits for partnered and non-Hispanic White households.
• Data Collection Challenges: The 2025 pause in USDA food security data collection threatens future policy evaluations, limiting the ability to monitor and address food insecurity effectively (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals).

Policy Implications and Recommendations

1. State policymakers should consider enhancing economic security policies such as increasing minimum wages and expanding refundable state EITCs to reduce childhood food insecurity and promote SDG 1 and SDG 2.
2. Complementary policies to support low-income families, including predictable work schedules, job security, and sick leave protections, should be explored to further strengthen economic stability (SDG 8).
3. Continued and improved data collection on food security is essential for monitoring progress and informing policy decisions, aligning with SDG 17.
4. Addressing disparities in food insecurity requires targeted interventions for vulnerable demographic groups, advancing SDG 10.

Conclusion

Economic policies that extend beyond direct food assistance, such as higher state minimum wages and more generous refundable state EITCs, play a critical role in reducing food insecurity among households with children. These policies support multiple Sustainable Development Goals by alleviating poverty, promoting decent work, ensuring food security, and reducing inequalities. Policymakers must integrate these economic tools with existing nutrition programs and strengthen data systems to effectively combat childhood food insecurity and improve child health outcomes nationwide.

References

• Winkler MR, Clohan R, Komro KA, Livingston MD, Markowitz S. “State Minimum Wage and Food Insecurity Among US Households With Children.” JAMA Network Open, Vol. 8 No. 3, 2025.
• Winkler MR, Clohan R, Komro KA, Livingston MD, Markowitz S. “State Earned Income Tax Credit and Food Security: Results Among Economically At-Risk Households With Children.” American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Volume 69, Issue 1, 2025.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • The article discusses policies such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and minimum wage increases that aim to alleviate poverty among low-income working families.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Food insecurity among households with children is the central issue, linking directly to ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious food.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article highlights the negative physical and mental health outcomes associated with childhood food insecurity, including developmental delays and cardiovascular health issues.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Policies related to minimum wage and labor protections are discussed as mechanisms to improve economic security and reduce food insecurity.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article notes disparities in food insecurity rates among racial and household structure groups, and how policies have differential impacts, addressing inequality issues.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children living in poverty in all its dimensions.
   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted and wasted children under 5 years of age.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including young people and persons with disabilities.
   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking.
5. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Food Insecurity Rate Among Households with Children
   • The article cites the percentage of households with children experiencing food insecurity (e.g., 18% in 2023) as a key indicator.
   • Reduction in food insecurity rates following policy changes (e.g., 10.4% drop in food insecurity with refundable EITCs) serves as a progress measure.
2. Minimum Wage Levels
   • State minimum wage amounts and changes over time are used as indicators of economic policy strength.
3. Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Generosity and Refundability
   • Presence and size of refundable state EITCs as a percentage of the federal credit indicate policy generosity.
4. Health Outcomes Related to Food Insecurity
   • Indicators such as developmental delays, behavioral challenges, hospitalizations, body mass index, and cardiovascular health are implied measures of the impact of food insecurity.
5. Enrollment and Accessibility of SNAP
   • Enrollment rates and administrative burden indicators for SNAP participation are implied as measures of program reach and effectiveness.
6. Disaggregated Data by Household Type and Race/Ethnicity
   • Food insecurity rates by single-parent vs. partnered households, and by racial/ethnic groups (e.g., Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black) are used to measure inequality reduction.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: econofact.org