Washington State Food Security Survey seeks public input on access, well being

SEATTLE — The Washington State Food Security Survey (WAFOOD) project is seeking public input in an effort to monitor the health, food security, food access, and economic well-being of Washington residents, and to help identify areas of need.

Sponsored by the Washington State Department of Agriculture, the survey is the sixth wave of the project, which is led by the University of Washington and Washington State University. The project first launched in 2020 in an effort to track the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health, economic well-being, and food needs of Washingtonians. With pandemic-era relief ending and food prices continuing to rise, WAFOOD surveys have continued to track evolving changes on the food access, food consumption, food expenditures, and food assistance needs of Washingtonians.

The information helps provide insights to both Washington state agencies and community organizations working to respond to ongoing shifts in the food system and in the needs of Washington residents. Responses to the survey will help reveal what’s effective, what gaps remain, and how to better direct food resources.

This information can be especially relevant for rural communities, which consistently exceed national averages in food insecurity. According to Feeding America’s 2025 Map the Meal Gap report, 85 percent of U.S. counties with the highest food insecurity are rural. In North Central Washington, long travel distances, limited grocery options and seasonal work create added barriers to access. It can inform regional initiatives such as the NCW Food Council, which is designed to strengthen local food systems through community-driven input and solutions.

The survey takes about 15 to 20 minutes on a smartphone, computer or tablet. It covers health, food access and economic needs. Washington residents over the age of 18 years old can take the survey until April 30. Survey participants have the option to share their email to enter a drawing for one of 100 gift cards valued at $50 each. The survey can be taken without sharing an email address or other identifying information.