Food Insecurity in Rural Children and Youth: Feeding Missoula

Rayne McCollough et al.
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:30:00 PDT

In Montana, approximately 1 in 7 children live in a food-insecure household. Lacking access to consistent, adequate nutrition impacts children’s full physical and cognitive potential, with rural youth in particular facing unique barriers such as geographic isolation, high food prices, and limited transportation (Montana Food Bank Network, 2025).

Our project, Feeding Missoula, started with an evaluation of how current assistance programs met or failed to meet the needs of rural Montana youth. Our methodology integrated a comprehensive review of existing literature and structured interviews with key local stakeholders. Our analysis was guided by a five-pillar theoretical framework: availability, access/affordability, utilization/quality, promotion, and sustainability, emphasizing promotion and sustainability to encourage long-lasting, systematic resilience and food literacy. Our findings indicated that household-level data often mask the fact that individual youth are experiencing hunger, even in families officially counted as food-secure. We implemented targeted community-based solutions in partnership with Missoula Food Bank & Community Center (MFB&CC) to create social media posts on “relatable cooking” that showcase low-cost meals, an interactive community food resource map, and the distribution of educational pamphlets containing recipes and age-appropriate activities in weekend meal packs (Empower Packs). To further enhance our local impact and engagement, we included a targeted food and supply drive throughout March, focusing on niche items that MFB&CC indicated they needed, such as diapers, formula, and baby food. This project generated actionable recommendations to reduce stigma and improve programs, ensuring that rural youth receive the foundational support necessary for positive long-term life outcomes.