Food Access
People who are unable to afford or reliably access food on their own rely on charitable food services, such as food pantries, to help feed their households. The dashboards below tell the story of where food insecurity is most concentrated in Central Texas and where households access federal nutrition programs and emergency food assistance.
Many robust datasets contribute to a shared understanding of food access in Central Texas. However, food access is dynamic and occurs on a continuum, and no single dataset captures the full picture. Some of the datasets available may not include certain populations, such as people experiencing homelessness or undocumented immigrants—or lack race, ethnicity, or other demographic information needed for more granular analysis. Additionally, rapid population growth and change across Central Texas may not be fully reflected in national datasets. Complementing these data with qualitative research, including the Food Access Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) led by Central Texas Food Bank, helps provide a more localized view of food access across Central Texas.
Questions to Consider
Where are the areas of greatest food-related need in Central Texas?
What are the most impactful levers for increasing food and nutrition security?
Where are charitable food distributions located in Central Texas? Where are there potential gaps in service?
What are current participation rates in federal nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)? What factors are associated with increased enrollment in these programs?
How do food access efforts in low-income communities and communities of various racial backgrounds expand while accounting for neighborhood change and minimizing displacement risk?
What is needed to support access to nutritious and culturally familiar food across the lifespan?
List of Dashboards
Continue scrolling to view the dashboards linked below, or click on a link to visit a specific part of this page.
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Low-Income/Low-Access Areas (LILA)
Food Security
2-1-1 Call Trends: Food Requests
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Food Distributions and Programming
Mix of Foods Provided through Charitable Response
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SNAP Eligibility and Participation
SNAP Participation: Race and Ethnicity Snapshot
WIC Eligibility and Participation
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) Locations
Free and Reduced School Meals
The Need
Low-Income/Low-Access Areas (LILA)
The dashboard below sheds light on how an individual’s home zip code can shape their physical food environment, which can, in turn, heavily influence their food choices. The following maps highlight areas that are considered low-income, low food access areas (LILA), also referred to as “food deserts.”
Highlights:
Low-income/low-access areas are mostly concentrated along the I-35 corridor and northeast part of the region. Most counties have at least one low-income/low-access census tract.
Households without a vehicle are most prevalent in Falls, McLennan, and Travis counties (each over 6%).
Census tracts with lower vehicle access closely mirror low-income/low-access areas.
Data Notes:
LILA measures geographic access but does not capture affordability or availability of nutritious or culturally familiar foods. Some communities may have grocery access through small or nearby stores, yet face limited options that meet residents’ dietary, cultural, or health needs—a pattern reflected in Food Access Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) conducted by Central Texas Food Bank and in neighbor feedback.
In some areas, low grocery access combined with a high concentration of fast food restaurants and convenience stores—often referred to as “food swamps”—has been associated with poorer diet quality and higher rates of obesity.
People do not necessarily shop at the food retailer nearest to their home. Many choose stores located along daily travel routes—such as to work, school, religious services, or other frequently visited places—meaning that the map may not reflect actual shopping patterns, retail preferences, or access points.
To toggle map layers off or on, open the “Layers” card on the left-hand side of the map, then click on the “eye” icon to the right of the layer name. View either low-income/low food access or households without a vehicle one layer at a time (not overlaid). The default view is set on the “Low-Access, Low-Income” layer.
Data Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas, 2019-2021
Refreshed: Every 4-5 years. Dashboard last refreshed October 2024.
Food Security
Households living in close geographic proximity may experience different levels of food access, making household-level food security an important measure of need. Food security reflects whether all household members can consistently access enough food to support active and healthy lives. The Center for Nutrition & Health Impact outlines four main components to measuring food security: household resilience, perceived limited availability of foods, utilization barriers, and food insecurity stability. Affordability, affected by inflation and food prices, strongly influences food security.
The following map shows food insecurity rates by census tract in Central Texas. The first map displays rates by census tract and compares them to the statewide average, while the accompanying table highlights disparities among racial and ethnic groups, children, and older adults. The second map shows county-level food insecurity rates among children and older adults relative to statewide averages. Texas has the fourth-highest food insecurity rate in the United States.
Highlights:
Food insecurity is not limited to urban areas. Many rural communities in Central Texas experience rates of food insecurity that are comparable to—or higher than—their urban counterparts. Twelve of the 21 counties in Central Texas have a higher overall food insecurity rate than the Texas average (17.6%).
Food insecurity varies widely within counties. Nearly all counties have census tracts with food insecurity rates above the state average, with urban areas of high food insecurity concentrated in the Eastern Crescent of Travis County and around Waco in McLennan County.
Across all counties, Black and Hispanic or Latino/a/e individuals experience higher rates of food insecurity than White/non-Hispanic individuals. Nearly one in three Black individuals experiences food insecurity—almost twice the regional average.
Children experience food insecurity at higher rates than the general population, while the opposite is true for adults age 60 and older. Counties in the north/northeast part of the region show particularly high rates among children and older adults.
This dataset measures food insecurity but not nutrition security, which includes consistent access to food that is nutritious, safe, affordable, and essential for optimal health and wellbeing. There is currently no comprehensive dataset available that measures nutrition security.
To turn map layers off, open the “Layers” card on the left-hand side of the map and click on the “eye” icon to the right of the layer name. View child or senior food insecurity rates one layer at a time (not overlaid). The map defaults to the “Children Food Insecurity Rate” layer.
Refreshed: Annually. Dashboard last refreshed August 2025.
2-1-1 Call Trends: Food Requests
The dashboard below shows food-related requests for assistance across Central Texas, split into calls for immediate help with food (food calls) and calls regarding SNAP enrollment and renewal (SNAP calls). Data reflect food-related calls, texts, and chats received by 2-1-1, the nationwide health and human services information and referral line operated locally by United Way for Greater Austin. Ten Central Texas counties are in United Way’s service area. For more information on 2-1-1 services, visit www.unitedwayaustin.org/connectatx.
Highlights:
Food calls include those related to food pantries, home-delivered meals, and meal sites. Most calls are for food pantries, with home-delivered meals a distant second.
SNAP-related calls accounted for one-quarter to one-third of all calls over the past six years and declined beginning in 2023, coinciding with the expiration of many COVID-19-era SNAP flexibilities.
The overall share of 2-1-1 calls related to food resources has remained steady over the past seven years, demonstrating that immediate food assistance remains a persistent need.
Data Notes:
Call volume reflects both need and awareness of available services; lower call volumes for certain services may indicate limited availability or outreach rather than lower need. For example, callers are less likely to ask for home delivery services in areas where they may not exist or outreach is limited.
Click on a county name at right to filter by county.
Data Source: United Way for Greater Austin 2-1-1 Requests and Needs Dashboard (January 2019-December 2025). Access the full dashboard here.
Refreshed: New data available monthly on full 2-1-1 dashboard. The dashboard at right is updated annually and was last refreshed January 2026.
Charitable Response
Food Distributions and Programming
The following map shows Central Texas Food Bank’s food pantry, meal site, and other program locations in Central Texas, as well as total food and produce pounds distributed by county. It also includes food distribution locations outside of Central Texas Food Bank’s network. Central Texas Food Bank provides direct food distribution programs and works through a robust network of community partners. For more information, visit www.centraltexasfoodbank.org.
Highlights:
The map shows relatively limited resources in some rural areas and in Travis County’s Eastern Crescent.
Charitable distribution sites outside of Central Texas Food Bank’s network help fill geographic gaps.
Data Notes:
Central Texas Food Bank is conducting Food Access Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) in partnership with community stakeholders to identify gaps and opportunities related to food access, optimize solutions across charitable and food system response, and support capacity-building efforts to reach all communities.
Out-of-network food distribution locations outside the 5-county Austin MSA are not represented on this map.
Toggle between years and program types using the filters to the right of the map.
Data Sources:
Central Texas Food Bank data for October 1, 2018-June 30, 2025. The count of locations by census tract (through September 30, 2024) is available in the Data Portal.
For the most up-to-date list of locations, visit www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/food-assistance/get-food-now.
Data on locations outside Central Texas Food Bank’s network provided by Bastrop County Cares, Williamson County and Cities Health District (WCCHD), and 2-1-1.
Refreshed: Annually for Central Texas Food Bank data; as available for locations outside of Central Texas Food Bank’s network. Dashboard last refreshed July 2025.
Mix of Foods Provided through Charitable Response
The dashboard below shows the types of foods distributed through Central Texas Food Bank’s network, including the share categorized as “Foods to Encourage” (F2E). F2E is a Feeding America framework that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, dairy, whole grains, and protein, and is aligned with USDA’s MyPlate Guidelines.
Highlights:
In Central Texas Food Bank’s fiscal year 2025, 82% of food distributed consists of Foods to Encourage, including 44% produce (fruits and vegetables).
Click on a county name in the filter to the right of the charts to filter by county.
Data Source: Central Texas Food Bank data for October 2018-June 2025
Refreshed: Annually. Dashboard last refreshed July 2025.
Nutrition Benefits and Incentives
SNAP Eligibility and Participation
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly referred to as “food stamps,” is a federal program that provides monthly food benefits to eligible low-income families to supplement their grocery budgets.
SNAP benefits also have measurable economic effects. One commonly cited estimate is the SNAP multiplier, which reflects additional economic activity associated with SNAP spending. The multiplier is currently estimated to be 1.5, meaning that every $1 in SNAP benefits is linked to about $1.50 in total spending at grocery stores and other food retailers. In 2023, food banks across Texas assisted 58,749 households with SNAP applications, generating an estimated $206 million in local economic impact to the Texas economy.
Research has found that SNAP participation is associated with improved food security after sustained enrollment, as well as better health outcomes and lower health care expenditures.
Despite being eligible, not all eligible households participate in SNAP, a difference often referred to as the “SNAP gap.” Factors associated with lower participation include documentation requirements, limited access to technology or low computer literacy, transportation barriers, misinformation about eligibility or immigration implications, prior application denials, limited program awareness, and stigma. Texas has one of the highest SNAP gaps in the country, with an estimated 74% of SNAP-eligible individuals enrolled.
In addition, many households have incomes just above SNAP eligibility thresholds yet still experience difficulty accessing adequate food. Other individuals may meet income criteria but are ineligible due to immigration status or other program rules not captured in enrollment estimates, suggesting that food access challenges extend beyond those formally eligible for SNAP.
Highlights:
SNAP participation peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic, declined afterward, and has trended upward in recent years.
Participating households receive an average of $10/day in SNAP benefits, and the average benefit per household has increased in recent years.
Findings from the Food Access Community Needs Assessments (CNAs) conducted by Central Texas Food Bank indicate that some neighbors report their SNAP benefits feel less sufficient than in the past, which may reflect rising grocery prices and reduced purchasing power due to inflation.
Hover over the lines on the chart to view monthly counts for individuals and households. Click on a county name at right to filter by county.
Data Sources: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, January 2018-December 2025 and US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator (most recently accessed January 2026)
Refreshed: New data available monthly; dashboard refreshed quarterly. Dashboard last refreshed January 2026.
SNAP Participation: Race and Ethnicity Snapshot
The following charts show the racial and ethnic composition of SNAP recipients over time.
Highlights:
Across Central Texas, approximately half of SNAP recipients are White, though this share varies by county.
Black and Hispanic or Latino/a/e individuals make up a larger share of SNAP participants relative to their representation in the general population.
This pattern is consistent with national SNAP participation trends, where White individuals represent the largest number of participants overall and Black and Hispanic or Latino/a/e populations are represented at higher rates relative to their population size.
Data Notes:
Differences in SNAP participation across racial and ethnic groups reflect variable income, household resources, and eligibility criteria. Long-standing, documented differences in economic opportunity across communities contribute to these patterns, though this dashboard does not assess causal pathways.
Click on a county name on the right to filter by county. Use the timeline to filter by month and year.
Data Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission, January 2018-December 2024
Refreshed: Annually. Dashboard last refreshed March 2025.
WIC Eligibility and Participation
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a federal program administered by the state of Texas that provides nutrition support to eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk. Benefits are used to purchase specific nutritious foods.
County-level data on WIC eligibility and participation are not consistently available publicly. Central Texas Food Bank is working to compile more localized data for the region. Until then, the charts below display state-level estimates of WIC eligibility, participation, and coverage (the share of eligible individuals who receive benefits).
Highlights:
WIC eligibility and participation have increased slightly in Texas, with more than half of the eligible population enrolled overall.
Coverage varies by age group: 86% of eligible infants participate in WIC, compared to 44% of eligible children.
Six in 10 eligible WIC participants identify as Hispanic or Latino/a/e, with a 63% coverage rate. Among other racial and ethnic groups, less than half of eligible individuals are enrolled.
Hover over the marks on the charts for more information.
Data Source: National and State Level Estimates of WIC Eligibility and Program Reach. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 2022-2025.
Refreshed: Annually. Dashboard last refreshed December 2025.
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) Locations
Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) is a nutrition incentive program that doubles the value of SNAP benefits at participating locations, with some sites also accepting WIC and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) benefits. The map below shows farmers markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, farm stands, and grocery stores that participate in DUFB.
Nutrition incentive programs like DUFB are also associated with broader economic impact. DUFB’s estimate economic multiplier is calculated at 3.1, meaning that for every $1 spent on incentives at participating sites, about $3.10 are spent in the local economy through food purchases and related business activity.
Highlights:
The number and geographic distribution of participating DUFB locations have increased over time.
Current participating sites are located in Bastrop, McLennan, Travis, and Williamson counties.
The number of farmers markets in Central Texas, as seen on the Food Markets and Retail dashboard, limits the number of direct-to-consumer DUFB sites; however, participation may expand through other retail channels.
Toggle between years using the filter below the map.
Data Source: Sustainable Food Center, updated through April 2025. For the most up-to-date list of locations, visit www.doubleuptexas.org/find-a-location.
Refreshed: Annually. Dashboard last refreshed April 2025.
Free and Reduced School Meals
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) provide free or reduced-price meals to eligible students from low-income families. The map below shows the percentage of students enrolled in free and reduced-priced school meals in Central Texas.
For statewide context, see the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty’s School Meals Dashboard—Texas Counties.
Highlights:
In all Central Texas counties except Blanco, Gillespie, and Williamson, over half of the student population is enrolled in free or reduced lunch, and one-third of counties (8) have participation rates over 80%.
With the exception of Blanco, Burnet, and Gillespie, every county includes schools with more than 80% of the student body enrolled in free or reduced-price meals.
Roughly 45% of schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), with participation in all counties except for Gillespie and Mills. An additional 15% participate in Universal Free Breakfast across 13 counties.
Use the filters to change the schools included in the map view: county, percent of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Universal Free Breakfast program.
Data Source: Texas Department of Agriculture, School Nutrition Programs - Meal Reimbursement Information - Program Year 2024-2025, accessed August 2025
Refreshed: Annually. Dashboard last refreshed August 2025.