More than half of the individuals who care for children in the United States are now experiencing hunger, according to a recent report. This is not a fringe issue of extreme poverty; it’s a growing crisis affecting those who provide essential early childhood care. The findings, from the RAPID Survey Project at Stanford, reveal a disturbing trend: 58% of child care providers reported experiencing hunger in June 2025, the highest percentage since data collection began in 2021.
The Expanding Crisis
This isn’t just about providers skipping meals occasionally. The study defines “hunger” based on specific hardships: inability to replace spoiled food, unaffordable balanced meals, reduced portions due to lack of funds, and outright going without food when hungry. The situation has worsened from an average of 44% of providers reporting hunger between 2021 and 2025. Rising grocery costs combined with cuts to food assistance programs are pushing more workers into food insecurity.
The problem extends beyond immediate deprivation. Experts emphasize that food insecurity represents a deeper, ongoing struggle for consistent access to adequate food. Even if a provider isn’t hungry at the moment of a survey, they may still live with the constant anxiety of not knowing where their next meal is coming from.
Why This Matters: A System Under Strain
The crisis among child care workers highlights a broken system. The average hourly wage for these professionals remains low—often under $12.25, even for those with degrees. Meanwhile, the cost of child care for families has skyrocketed, exceeding rent or mortgage payments in many areas. This creates a cruel irony: those who care for our children are often unable to afford basic necessities for themselves.
The instability of hourly schedules further exacerbates the problem. Many providers face unpredictable hours, with work canceled on short notice if enrollment numbers fall. This makes it harder to budget, access consistent income, and qualify for assistance programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). SNAP changes slated for October 2026—including stricter age limits and the removal of exemptions for vulnerable groups—will likely worsen the situation. Roughly 43% of child care workers already rely on public assistance, making them acutely vulnerable to these cuts.
The Broader Context
Food insecurity affects 1 in 4 households in the U.S., but the focus has traditionally been on children. Experts note that the public tends to underestimate how widespread hunger is among adults, particularly those in low-wage professions.
“Most people think we’re in a very prosperous country, and with hunger, there’s something of a mindset around it of abject poverty… But we’re starting to talk about these issues as a canary in the coal mine; there’s signals it’s starting to spread to a much wider swath of population.” – Philip Fisher, Stanford Center for Early Childhood
The situation among child care providers is a stark warning: if those who nurture our youngest are struggling to feed themselves, the entire system is failing. Without systemic changes to wages, job security, and social safety nets, food insecurity among these essential workers will only deepen.
