A new University of Georgia study found that people experiencing food insecurity may have the hardest time accessing food assistance in higher-income communities, where food pantries and aid organizations are less common.
Researchers identified north and northeast metro Atlanta as particularly underserved because poverty is more dispersed, leaving fewer agencies available to help residents in need.
The Georgia Hunger Study, also found that limited transportation creates another major barrier, as many food pantry users lack reliable vehicles.
Researchers surveyed and held focus groups with more than 2,000 food pantries statewide in collaboration with UGA Cooperative Extension, the Georgia Department of Human Services and Feeding Georgia.
The team recommends stronger coordination among food banks, expanded transportation assistance, and broader connections to social services to improve food access. The study was published in The Professional Geographer and led by UGA associate professor Jerry Shannon.
