As climate change accelerates, summer is no longer just a season—it’s a survival challenge. Communities across the country are enduring longer, more dangerous heatwaves that push vulnerable families to their limits. What many don’t realize is how deeply these rising temperatures intersect with food insecurity. For low-income households, the heat isn’t just uncomfortable—it creates impossible choices between staying cool and staying fed.
At Feed America, we believe in looking beyond the surface of hunger. Seasonal hardship, particularly in the form of extreme weather, compounds the struggles already faced by food-insecure families. Summer’s sweltering heat is quickly becoming one of the least discussed, yet most dangerous, drivers of food insecurity in the U.S.
When Heat Becomes a Hunger Issue
The data is clear: temperatures are rising fast. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts that most of the United States will experience above-normal temperatures throughout this summer—an extension of a multi-year trend. And while the heat may pass with the season, its impact lingers far longer for families already struggling to make ends meet.
Rising temperatures lead to spiking energy costs. A working air conditioner can be the difference between life and death during a heatwave, but electricity bills surge at the same time that grocery costs remain high. Many low-income households are forced into trade-offs—keeping the lights and fans on or keeping the fridge stocked. A 2023 report from the Center for Energy and Environment confirmed that energy insecurity often leads families to skip meals or buy cheaper, less nutritious food.
For those already living paycheck to paycheck, a heatwave can tip the scales into crisis. In neighborhoods where homes lack proper insulation or air conditioning, the burden grows even heavier. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the number of heatwaves in major U.S. cities has tripled since the 1960s, and with that increase comes higher rates of emergency food access requests during the hottest months of the year.
Hard Choices in a Hot Summer
Summer should be a season of growth and nourishment, yet for many families, it becomes a time of sacrifice. Fresh produce spoils faster in overheated homes. Without adequate refrigeration or transportation to get food quickly, perishable goods become a risky purchase. This forces families to rely on shelf-stable foods, often at the expense of nutrition.
For food banks, it’s a logistical challenge too. Increased demand meets logistical strain: cool storage becomes more expensive, delivery trucks must travel farther in sweltering heat, and volunteers and staff face burnout. The systems meant to support hungry families are under stress at the exact time they are needed most.
The Strain on Food Access and Storage in Extreme Heat
While the human toll of heatwaves is widely reported, their impact on access to safe and nutritious food is often overlooked. For food-insecure households, rising temperatures create new hurdles that go beyond discomfort—they directly undermine food stability and safety.
Spoiled Before It’s Served
Extreme heat accelerates the spoilage of perishable foods like produce, dairy, and meat. For households without reliable refrigeration or air conditioning—common in older buildings or low-income housing—storing fresh groceries becomes nearly impossible. Frequent brownouts or high utility costs may lead families to unplug appliances, risking food loss in exchange for power savings.
Even at the community level, food distribution sites face similar challenges. Cold storage becomes more expensive to operate, while volunteers and staff must work under increased strain. During peak heat months, the risk of spoilage rises throughout the supply chain—from donation pickup to pantry storage to end use in homes.
Access to nutritious, fresh food is especially limited in areas already designated as food deserts. When high temperatures disrupt delivery schedules or limit transportation options, these communities are disproportionately affected.
Transportation: A Barrier That Gets Hotter
Access to food is not just about availability—it’s also about mobility. In many low-income neighborhoods, residents depend on public transportation or walking to reach grocery stores or food pantries. During extreme heat events, these commutes can become dangerous.
According to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), high temperatures put added strain on transit systems, often causing delays or reduced service. Additionally, many cities lack shaded bus stops, safe walking routes, or cooling shelters along high-traffic pedestrian paths. For those pushing strollers, carrying groceries, or navigating mobility issues, extreme heat makes already challenging trips to the store even harder.
In areas with limited car ownership, even short distances to food outlets become a barrier during heatwaves. This forces households to shop less frequently, which in turn increases reliance on shelf-stable, lower-nutrient food that may be easier to store and transport—but lacks essential vitamins and minerals.
At-Risk Populations Face Compounded Dangers
Certain groups face disproportionately high risks when heat and hunger collide. Children, seniors, people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant individuals all require careful hydration and nutrition—both of which are harder to maintain when food access is interrupted.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related death in the U.S., and the danger is exacerbated by food insecurity. Those without the means to keep food cold, hydrate adequately, or cook safely in overheated spaces are at greater risk for heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and other health complications.
Additionally, households that rely on medications—such as insulin or antibiotics that require refrigeration—face even more severe consequences when temperatures rise beyond safe storage conditions.
Short-Term Relief Measures in High-Heat Conditions
In response to rising temperatures, some communities have introduced practical, short-term solutions to reduce the impact of heat on food access. Cooling centers near grocery stores and food distribution hubs help residents safely reach essential services during heatwaves. Local governments have also expanded access to emergency utility aid during summer months, allowing households to maintain safe food storage without sacrificing their ability to cool their homes.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continues to serve as a crucial resource, offering seasonal support to help offset the rising cost of energy. However, inconsistent funding, administrative barriers, and lack of public awareness often limit the reach and effectiveness of this safety net.
Federal Focus on Climate and Community Resilience
Extreme heat is increasingly being recognized at the federal level as a threat to health and equity. In 2023, the White House Working Group on Extreme Heat issued additional guidance and support to help cities mitigate the effects of dangerous temperatures, particularly for at-risk populations.
While these efforts mark important progress, more comprehensive planning is needed. Food security must be prioritized in climate resilience strategies, especially in communities that lack access to infrastructure capable of handling environmental extremes. Enhancing cold storage capacity, updating energy systems, and improving transportation access are essential components of a stronger safety net.
Building Climate-Responsive Food Systems
Long-term solutions must recognize the deep connection between climate and food security. As summers become hotter and more unpredictable, the nation’s food infrastructure must adapt. That includes increasing support for weather-resilient supply chains, reinforcing cooling capacity at food storage and distribution sites, and investing in heat-mitigation strategies for households without modern insulation or reliable energy access.
Addressing these needs requires forward-thinking policy and coordination across sectors—housing, energy, health, and food. Resilient food systems are not only about growing or distributing enough food, but ensuring that families can store, prepare, and consume it safely in any season.
Conclusion: Confronting the Climate-Hunger Nexus
Extreme heat is no longer an isolated climate issue—it’s a growing factor in America’s hunger crisis. As the country braces for hotter summers and tighter resources, it’s vital to understand that food insecurity doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It is influenced by weather, infrastructure, and systemic inequities that leave certain populations more exposed to risk.
Reducing the impact of heat on food access requires integrated, year-round solutions that recognize how environmental stressors deepen social and economic vulnerabilities. By investing in climate-aware infrastructure, strengthening energy assistance, and protecting the nation’s most food-insecure households, we can build a future where no one has to choose between a cool home and a full plate.
