Caregivers of Young Children Report Difficulty Accessing Essentials from Food Pantries

December 22, 2025

A recent survey by Stanford's RAPID Survey Project reveals significant food insecurity among families with young children, finding that nearly one-quarter of households with children under six utilized food pantries in the past year. The research shows that 32% of these families struggled to afford basic necessities in December 2024, with 19% specifically facing food affordability challenges. While food pantries serve as crucial community resources, many caregivers express concerns about food quality, limited variety, lack of choice in selecting items, and accessibility barriers including inconvenient hours and locations.

Who is affected

Families with children under age 6 (32% experiencing material hardship, 24% using food pantries)
Lower-income families (43% using food pantries)
Middle-income families (19% using food pantries)
Higher-income families (7% using food pantries)
Childcare providers caring for children under age 6 (48% using food pantries for children in their care)
Young children whose developmental health depends on consistent access to nutritious food
Parents and caregivers struggling to afford basic needs including food, housing, utilities, childcare, and healthcare

What action is being taken

The RAPID Survey Project is conducting ongoing national and place-based surveys to gather information on needs and well-being of young children and caregivers
Food pantries are currently distributing food to families (with many providing pre-filled bags)
One in four families with young children are using food pantries one or more times per year
Childcare providers are accessing food pantries to obtain food and supplies for children in their care
The RAPID Survey Project is collecting and analyzing data to make timely information available for decision-making

Why it matters

This research matters because consistent access to basic needs, particularly nutritious food, is fundamental to creating stable home environments that support healthy child development. The findings reveal that despite food pantries serving as critical community resources, significant gaps exist in food quality, variety, accessibility, and caregiver choice that prevent these programs from fully meeting families' nutritional needs. With one in five families struggling to afford food and concerns about expired or low-quality offerings, children may face developmental risks and health consequences. The data provides actionable insights that can inform policies and programs to better support vulnerable families, improve food pantry operations, and address systemic barriers that prevent caregivers from accessing assistance when needed.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint