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.

Ohio families who rely on food pantries are struggling with more than the cost of groceries, according to a new statewide survey that highlights the broader financial pressures facing households.

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks surveyed more than 2,600 food pantry visitors across 77 of Ohio’s 88 counties. The organization found that many families are balancing the cost of food against other necessities, including utilities and transportation.

Joree Novotny, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks, said families often turn to food pantries because their overall household budgets are falling short.

“So they’re coming to us for help with food, not only because they might be facing food budget shortfalls, but because they’re facing overall household budget shortfalls,” Novotny said. “So a lot are making trade offs between affording utilities or food, affording transportation or food, of course.”

Hunters are being asked to consider harvesting an extra deer to help Ohio families through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Field to Food Bank program.

White-tailed deer season is underway, and deer donations are being accepted throughout the season.

“The Field to Food Bank program helps manage Ohio’s white-tailed deer populations and address food insecurity in our state at the same time,” ODNR said in a news release.

First launched last October, the program saw 182 deer donated, amounting to 36,400 venison servings.

Field-dressed deer can be dropped off at designated locations for Division of Wildlife staff to then transport to the Ohio Penal Industries’ meat processing facility at Pickaway Correctional Institution for processing and packaging. ODNR works with the Ohio Association of Foodbanks to coordinate distribution.

High school sophomore Lavender Johnson studied a small green leaf during a break from class in her school day. It was sprouting from a hydroponic tower in the corner of her classroom in western Ohio.

“These are like little babies,” Johnson said. “You don't want to take them while they're babies. They're not gonna be good.”

The refrigerator-sized tower is lit up like a Christmas tree with white LED lights at its center, surrounded by a wall of leafy greens sprouting out of little holes. The lettuces’ roots dangle in water – not soil – that’s packed with nutrients.

After examining the cascade of green, Johnson grabbed a big bunch in the sweet spot.

“These are ready to be plucked. They’re like ‘Man, I've been here for so long, I'm tired of dealing with these kids.’ They're just trying to leave,” she said.

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.