Study warns that food insecurity affects nearly half of Puerto Rico’s adult population
By THE STAR STAFF
A new islandwide study released by Espacios Abiertos, Nutriendo Puerto Rico and the Triple‑S Foundation reveals that food insecurity remains a widespread challenge in Puerto Rico, affecting 40.8% of adults. The report also highlights that more than half of respondents struggle to secure nutritious food on a regular basis.
The 2026 Food Security Report for Puerto Rico is based on 1,416 face‑to‑face interviews conducted across the seven health regions. According to the findings, 30.5% of adults fall into the category of low food security, while 10.3% experience very low food security. The study carries a 95% confidence level and a ±2.6‑point margin of error.
Financial strain is a recurring theme throughout the data. Nearly half of participants (46.7%) said their household ran out of food at some point in the past year without the means to buy more. Another 43.4% reported being unable to afford balanced meals. The report notes that 19.7% had to cut back on food or skip meals due to economic limitations, and 4.5% went an entire day without eating. Of those who reduced or skipped meals, 73.6% faced that situation for more than two months.
Income levels show stark disparities. Food insecurity reached 63.9% among adults in households earning under $14,999 annually and 50.2% among those making between $15,000 and $24,999. In contrast, only 5.1% of adults in households earning $50,000 or more reported food insecurity.
The regional breakdown shows Ponce with the highest prevalence at 67.1%, followed by Fajardo (45.3%), Metro (42.7%), Bayamón (40%), Caguas (35.3%), Arecibo (32%) and Mayagüez/Aguadilla (24%).
Access to nutritious food remains another major hurdle. The study found that 51.9% of adults face some degree of difficulty obtaining and consuming healthier options, and among those who reported challenges, 91.7% cited cost as the primary barrier.
Ataveyra Medina, executive director of Espacios Abiertos, noted that differences in methodology prevent direct comparison with a 2015 study that estimated food insecurity at 33.2%. Still, she emphasized the need for ongoing measurement and coordinated policy efforts.
The organizations behind the report called for strengthening local food production and distribution, updating the Nutritional Assistance Program (PAN), and developing an interagency strategy focused on vulnerable communities.
The findings underscore a persistent crisis that advocates say is deepened by inflation, stagnant wages and limited federal support, leaving many households struggling to meet basic nutritional needs.
