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Food Deserts in Rhode Island

10.6% of Rhode Island households were food insecure on average over 2022-2024 — below the national average of 13.7%. Even in states with lower overall rates, pockets of concentrated food insecurity persist.

Rhode Island at a glance

Sources →

Food insecurity rate (3-yr avg)

10.6%

USDA ERS, 2022-2024

Very low food security

5.1%

USDA ERS, 2022-2024

SNAP receipt rate

14.0%

Census ACS, 2020-2024

Poverty rate

11.2%

Census ACS, 2020-2024

Median household income

$87,796

Census ACS, 2020-2024

Households without a vehicle

9.1%

Census ACS, 2020-2024

Understanding Rhode Island's food security landscape

Rhode Island's food insecurity rate of 10.6% is below the national average of 13.7 percent. Lower overall rates do not eliminate concentrated hardship: rural counties, Native American communities, and urban neighborhoods in most states contain pockets of food insecurity well above the state average.

A median household income of $87,796 provides some indication of the economic cushion available to most households, though income alone does not determine food access. State-level averages can mask significant county-to-county variation. Use the county breakdown below to identify areas of concentrated need.

Transportation access gap

9.1% of Rhode Island households have no vehicle. For these families, the USDA's 1-mile urban or 10-mile rural threshold for LILA classification translates into a practical barrier to fresh food, regardless of what grocery stores exist nearby.

Food assistance resources

PantryPath lists food pantries, food banks, and community resources across Rhode Island. No login required. Updated regularly with hours and contact information.

Find pantries in Rhode Island →

Data notes

  • Food insecurity rates are 3-year rolling averages (2022-2024) from USDA ERS ERR-358.
  • SNAP and poverty data from Census ACS 5-year estimates (2020-2024).
  • Health indicators are age-adjusted prevalence from CDC PLACES 2025 release.
  • State rates are population-weighted averages of county estimates.
Full methodology →

Health indicators linked to food access

Age-adjusted prevalence from CDC PLACES 2025. Population-weighted from county estimates.

Adult obesity

32.0%

CDC PLACES, 2023

Diagnosed diabetes

9.7%

CDC PLACES, 2023

High blood pressure

30.3%

CDC PLACES, 2023

Frequent mental distress

17.5%

CDC PLACES, 2023

County map

5 counties

Poverty, SNAP receipt, median income, and health-outcome rates for every county in Rhode Island. Click a metric above the map to switch. Hover any county for details.

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Lower
Higher Hover a county for details

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) for poverty, median household income, and SNAP receipt; CDC PLACES 2025 release (2023 BRFSS) for obesity, diabetes, and mental distress.

Need food assistance in Rhode Island?

PantryPath lists local food pantries, food banks, and community resources across Rhode Island. Free, no login required. Updated regularly.

Find pantries in Rhode Island →