Survey Finds Nearly 30% of South Dakotans Skipped Meals
The South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative released its first-ever state food landscape assessment, pairing new survey data with community interviews.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Nutrition
Live Poll
Have rising grocery prices caused you or your household to skip meals this year?
The South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative released its first-ever state food landscape assessment, finding that nearly thirty percent of South Dakotans surveyed skipped a meal to stretch their budget. Feeding South Dakota, a collaborative member, announced Thanksgiving meal giveaways in Sioux Falls and Rapid City on November 21.
Why it matters
Rising grocery and fuel costs are making it difficult for some South Dakotans to afford food ahead of the holiday season. The findings point to growing strain on household budgets across the state.
The first-ever state food landscape assessment reports that nearly thirty percent of surveyed South Dakotans skipped a meal to stretch their budget. The report does not provide a comparison to prior years or other states, and the extent to which the trend will continue is not addressed.
The players
South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative
A coalition that produced the state's first food landscape assessment, combining survey data with interviews and feedback from families, grocers, and communities.
Feeding South Dakota
A statewide hunger-relief organization that distributes food in every county and is a member of the South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative.
Greg and Pam Sands Foundation
A foundation that is matching donations to Feeding South Dakota this month.
The details
Feeding South Dakota, which distributes food in every county of the state, has spent double what it budgeted for food as price increases have reduced food donations it receives. The Thanksgiving giveaways will run as drive-through distributions, with donations to the organization matched this month by the Greg and Pam Sands Foundation.
Timeline
November 21: Thanksgiving meal giveaway in Sioux Falls at the W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
November 21: Thanksgiving meal giveaway in Rapid City at the Central States Fairgrounds, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
December: Expected uptick in demand at food pantries and mobile distributions during the holidays
Big Picture
This first-ever food landscape assessment from the South Dakota Healthy Nutrition Collaborative establishes a statewide baseline on skipped meals, giving future reports a point of comparison. It positions food insecurity in South Dakota as a measured problem rather than an anecdotal one.
Residents facing food costs ahead of the holiday can attend the November 21 drive-through giveaways in Sioux Falls or Rapid City. Donations to Feeding South Dakota are being matched this month, making contributions go further for families across the state.
The takeaway
Food insecurity in South Dakota is now measured, with nearly thirty percent of surveyed residents reporting skipped meals. Supporting local food pantries and donation drives this month can help close the gap as holiday demand rises.
What happens next
Feeding South Dakota will hold Thanksgiving meal giveaways in Sioux Falls and Rapid City on November 21, with demand expected to rise in December as holiday food pantry visits increase.
Further reading
For more on food access and eating habits, explore Nutrition coverage on Wisevoter.
More information
Learn how to support the effort through Feeding South Dakota's donation and giving options.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dakotanewsnow.
Live Poll
Have rising grocery prices caused you or your household to skip meals this year?
