News & Updates

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks today released a new study finding that more than half of surveyed Ohio households were forced to choose between paying for medicine or food in the past year, while nearly six in 10 were forced to choose between paying for food or utilities amid ongoing health and financial challenges. The findings are based on an anonymous electronic survey of Ohio food pantry visitors, with more than 2,600 verified responses analyzed.

“As Hunger Action Month kicks off, this study reminds us that food insecurity is often a symptom of broader challenges facing families,” said Joree Novotny, executive director for the Ohio Association of Foodbanks. “Ohio families are visiting food pantries as they work hard to keep up with rising food costs, inflation and other external pressures. These survey findings underscore the growing pressures fueling hunger across Ohio.”

“The Ohio Association of Foodbanks applauds Governor Mike DeWine for signing Ohio Senate Bill 315 into law. This legislation will enable important fraud protections that will save taxpayer dollars and protect low-income Ohioans. Through gradual implementation of SNAP EBT card modernization, Ohio will adopt a proven technology solution to prevent organized criminals from continuing to defraud Ohio families to the tune of millions of dollars. On behalf of Ohio’s foodbanks and the 650,000 Ohio households that turn to SNAP for help meeting their monthly food needs, we thank Governor DeWine and the 136th Ohio General Assembly for this important legislation.

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks applauds the Ohio General Assembly for passing important fraud protections that will save taxpayer dollars and protect low-income Ohioans. We want to especially thank Senators Tim Schaffer and Hearcel Craig for their sponsorship of Sub. Senate Bill 315 and Representatives Kellie Deeter and Tristan Rader for their sponsorship of Am. House Bill 163. These bipartisan, bicameral leaders worked with a sense of urgency, alongside Senate President McColley, Speaker Huffman, Senate Finance leadership including Chair Cirino, Vice Chair Chavez, and Ranking Member Hicks-Hudson, House Agriculture leadership including Chair Klopfenstein, Vice Chair Newman, and Ranking Member Miller, and House Finance leadership including Chair Stewart, Vice Chair Dovilla, and Ranking Member Sweeney, to see this critical effort through to the finish line.

As Ohio families face rising costs, changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are raising concerns about access to food, particularly for people who rely on neighborhood convenience stores.

Jayla Jemison, who previously received SNAP benefits, said the assistance helped her feed her family.

“If it wasn't for SNAP benefits, I would not have been able to feed myself or my family,” Jemison said.

New eligibility requirements have contributed to a decline in the number of Ohioans receiving benefits. In August 2025, nearly 1.4 million Ohioans received SNAP benefits. By August 2026, that number had fallen to just over 1.2 million, according to figures cited in the reporting. Nearly 70,000 children also lost coverage during that period.

The changes come as food banks report continued demand for assistance.

Local agricultural producers and a community pantry were recognized for their work fighting hunger across the region during a visit from the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.

The statewide organization stopped in Washington Court House on Tuesday, Oct. 13, presenting its inaugural Food Champion Awards to Saddleberk Farms, Cockerill Berkshire Farms and the Paint Valley Ministries Pantry. Saddleberk and its agricultural partners have supplied more than 115,000 pounds of pork products to Ohio food banks to date.

The local visit marked the final stop of four regional farm tours conducted by the association to showcase how partnerships between the state’s agriculture sector and charitable food networks deliver fresh, nutritious food to families facing hunger.

Worthington's experience lines up with a wider pattern playing out across Ohio. The Ohio Association of Foodbanks analyzed more than 2,600 verified responses from food pantry visitors across 77 of the state's 88 counties and found that Ohio families are visiting food pantries as they work to keep up with rising food costs, inflation and other external pressures. The association also reported that nearly six in 10 surveyed households had to choose between paying for food or utilities during the past year.

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks is pleased to present this guide to pantry staples. Filled with recipes adapted from Celebrate Your Plate, this cookbook highlights simple, nutritious, and delicious meals made with ingredients commonly found at foodbanks and in your pantry.

The Ohio Associaition of Foodbanks is proud to release the 2026 Hunger Study Report. The findings are based on an anonymous electronic survey of Ohio food pantry visitors, with more than 2,600 verified responses analyzed. Rich data from a widely distributed survey comprises the basis for the Hunger in Ohio 2026 results. All data were collected through electronic surveys completed by food pantry visitors from April 18th to May 22nd. Neighbors also had the option to self-select into a secondary, more in-depth interview process. These interviews provided additional context and support for the survey findings and are featured throughout this report in quotations. The neighbors surveyed received a modest incentive for their valued time and feedback. This survey was implemented in partnership with staff and volunteers at each of Ohio’s 12 Feeding Americ a foodbanks, who distributed flyers containing unique QR codes that securely connected food pantry visitors to a confidential online survey developed in Qualtrics.

Ohio Food Recovery’s 2025 Impact Report addresses the issue of food waste, defined as safe, edible food that is discarded instead of eaten. This waste occurs at many points across the food system, including homes, farms, grocery stores, restaurants, and manufacturing facilities. Common causes include produce that does not meet cosmetic standards, food nearing sell‑by or expiration dates, overproduction, and rejected or distressed food loads. Foodbanks play an essential role in addressing this challenge by working with local partners and farms, retailers, manufacturers, restaurants, and distributors to rescue and redistribute surplus food that would otherwise go to waste across all of Ohio's 88 counties. We are pleased to have coordinated with the Ohio Department of Health and local food recovery partners on this report.