See where food access may be most strained

This site helps residents, pantry operators, journalists, and policymakers identify places where estimated food insecurity is high and nearby pantry coverage is limited.

Open Main Map All Maps

Planning signal only: always confirm with local providers before making operational decisions.

How to use this site

Start here if this is your first visit.

Find likely gaps

Open the tract map and look for higher index areas where need and coverage are out of balance.

Check local context

Compare with pantry locations and local partner knowledge to validate what is happening on the ground.

Go deeper if needed

Use the Methods and Data pages for definitions, assumptions, and downloadable files.

What this can and can't tell you

Use these guardrails to avoid over-interpreting the maps.

What it can tell you

Where estimated need is likely higher than nearby pantry coverage.
Where to prioritize follow-up with local providers.
Where county and regional planning conversations may be most urgent.

What it can't tell you

Real-time pantry inventory, hours, or staffing capacity.
Household-level eligibility or individual service outcomes.
Whether a pantry location is currently open or temporarily paused.

Featured map: tract food pantry desert index

Click any tract for index values, coverage metrics, and supporting indicators.

Find what you need

Go directly to maps, data downloads, methods, or project information.

Maps

Browse tract and ZCTA map views plus pantry locations.

Open maps

Data downloads

Download index files, merged pantry files, and the full data manifest.

Open data page

Methods and definitions

Read plain-language explanations, replication details, and source limitations.

Open methods

About this project

See team members, funding support, and contact information.

Open about page