Data from the Current Population Survey show that more households sought additional food resources from public and private sources during the recession. Since 2001, the number of households that reported obtaining emergency food from a food pantry has risen, with the largest increase occurring between 2007 and 2009. During this time, the number of households using food pantries rose by 44% from 3.9 to 5.6 million households. Notable inceases in food pantry use occurred among married-couple families (66%) and households in the Midwest (65%). Food pantry use in suburban areas topped that in principal cities for the first time since 2001.

Households also relied on additional assistance through the government nutrition assistance programs. Government spending for these programs increased 27% in 2009 due to a significant hike in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits enacted as part of the 2009 stimulus package and record growth in the SNAP caseload. In fiscal year (FY) 2009, 15.2 million households participated in SNAP in an average month–up from 12.7 million in FY 2008.

 

http://www.ers.usda.gov/AmberWaves/December10/Findings/FoodAssistance.htm