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UGA study finds accessing food assistance harder in more affluent metro Atlanta areas
Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Sam Sachs , WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 23, 2026
· 3 min read
A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that more than 50 million people across the United States sought food from pantries and charitable organizations in 2023. However, the UGA study found that many still face challenges accessing the food they need, especially those living in more a...
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Summary created by The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Sam Sachs, WSB-TV (ABC) - News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The study team gathered data from surveys and focus groups at more than 2,000 food pantries across Georgia.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The University of Georgia's study on food assistance highlights a critical issue in metro Atlanta, where affluent areas have fewer food pantries, making it harder for those in need to access aid. This geographic disparity is particularly concerning in the north and northeast metro areas, where poverty is less concentrated but still present. The lack of food pantries in these areas means that individuals struggling with food insecurity must travel farther to receive assistance, which can be a significant barrier for those without reliable transportation. As the study's findings are considered, it will be important to examine how local organizations and government agencies can work together to address this gap in services, potentially by establishing new food pantries or expanding existing ones to reach more communities. By doing so, metro Atlanta can better support its most vulnerable residents and ensure that everyone has access to the food they need.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that more than 50 million people across the United States sought food from pantries and charitable organizations in 2023. However, the UGA study found that many still face challenges accessing the food they need, especially those living in more a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sam Sachs at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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