Food insecurity directly impacts physical health and is associated with adverse developmental, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes. It can also contribute to achievement gaps between children from families with low and high incomes.

Results from the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) 2023-24 Philly School Experience Survey (PSES) provide a local data source for understanding the extent to which Philadelphia families experience food insecurity.

This brief describes the prevalence of food insecurity among SDP households that responded to the PSES and examines the differences in food insecurity rates across  student demographic groups and schools.

Summary:

In 2023-24, the Philly School Experience Survey (PSES) asked principals whether food insecurity was a challenge to student learning. Of principals who responded, 36% identified food insecurity as a “great” or “moderate” challenge.

The 2023-24 PSES for students included a question derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey that asks about student hunger. Of students who responded, 19% indicated that they had gone hungry in the previous 30 days due to a lack of food at home “sometimes,” “most of the time,” or “always.”

The 2023-24 PSES for parents and guardians included the USDA Six-Item Short Form questions that evaluate household food insecurity. The rate of food insecurity among responding SDP households was 24%.