(WFXR)- A new study from No Kid Hungry Virginia indicates that 45 percent of Virginians are going into debt due to rising food costs.

For families with children in public schools, the numbers are even more significant. Over half of the parents, specifically 52%, report that increased food prices are leading them into debt.

The child advocacy group hired Change Research to conduct the study. A total of 1,128 Virginia adults were surveyed, many of them parents.

A significant portion of the surveyed group, with 60% of adults and 75% of families, indicated they have had to make a difficult choice between purchasing groceries and covering other essential expenses like fuel, car payments, child care, rent or mortgage, and utilities. This marks a notable rise compared to 2024, when only 46% faced such tough decisions.

Sarah Steely, the Director of No Kid Hungry Virginia, emphasized the severe effects of food insecurity on families and communities, stating, “Parents should never have to choose between feeding themselves and feeding their children. It is vital to continue enhancing nutrition policies that ensure students and families receive healthy food while also supporting Virginia’s farmers, small businesses, and local economies.”

Other findings:

• More than eight in ten Virginians (84%) say the cost of food is rising faster than their income, nearly identical to findings (83%) from 2024. 
• More than half (51%) of households earning between $47,000 and $97,000 report going into debt to afford groceries.
• Over half of households with children (61%) report that their mental health has suffered due to food costs, while 48% say their physical health has declined
• Almost half (49%) of families utilize a food program such as a food bank, free school meals, SNAP or SUN Bucks throughout the year.
• Most people (88%) want the next governor to take action to end child hunger. 

Regarding the issue of childhood hunger, 70% of republicans, 92% of independents, and 96% of democrats surveyed agree that it should be a top priority.