New Study: Food Worry Lowers Worker Performance and Engagement in 2026

Workers worrying about food are 20% less engaged, new research from February 2026 shows. This is a big drop from last year.
By Newsroom | Workplace Issues, Health and Wellness |

When employees worry about having enough food, it directly affects how well they do their jobs and how interested they are in their work. New research shows that this worry, known as food insecurity, leads to increased anxiety and poorer performance. It also means workers are less likely to help their colleagues. These findings suggest that workplaces can play a role in easing this burden.

Food insecurity, the lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life, is a growing problem. Studies indicate a clear connection between this basic need not being met and negative outcomes in the workplace.

  • Employees experiencing food insecurity report higher levels of anxiety.

  • Their ability to perform tasks decreases.

  • Engagement with their work also declines.

  • They are less inclined to offer assistance to coworkers.

Understanding the Mechanisms

Research points to rumination, or persistent thinking about a problem, as a key factor in how food insecurity impacts work.

"Food insecurity is positively associated with rumination."

When people are worried about food, these thoughts don't stay at home. They travel with them to work, occupying their minds and reducing their ability to concentrate and perform.

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  • Rumination: Constant thoughts about food availability can distract employees.

  • Task Performance: This distraction directly lowers how well employees can do their jobs.

  • Work Outcomes: The overall impact includes reduced productivity and engagement.

Evidence from Research Studies

Several recent studies highlight these connections.

  • Experiment 1: In one study, participants who recalled experiencing food insecurity reported higher anxiety and lower task performance and work engagement.

  • Key finding: Receiving food assistance led to reduced anxiety and improved work performance and engagement.

  • Experiment 2: Another research proposal outlined hypotheses connecting food insecurity to rumination and ultimately to reduced task performance. It also proposed that workplace food benefits could lessen these negative effects.

  • Hypothesis: Workplace food benefits would moderate the indirect relationship between food insecurity and work outcomes via rumination.

  • Experiment 3: Research shows that concerns about food reach into the workplace, affecting focus, energy, and overall performance.

  • Insight: Organizations need to acknowledge food insecurity as a significant challenge within their workforce.

How Workplace Food Benefits Can Help

Providing food support at work appears to be a practical solution.

  • Direct Assistance: Offering free or discounted food, such as through workplace food pantries or grocery vouchers, can alleviate immediate concerns.

  • Reduced Anxiety: When employees have access to food, their anxiety levels tend to decrease.

  • Improved Performance: This reduction in anxiety is linked to better work performance and engagement.

  • Moderating Factor: Workplace food benefits can potentially buffer the negative effects of food insecurity on employees' work.

The Broader Context of Food Insecurity

As food insecurity rises nationally, its impact on the workforce becomes more pronounced.

"Moreno’s research shows that food insecurity affects employees long before they step into the workplace."

This suggests that addressing food insecurity is not just a matter of employee well-being but also a business imperative. Organizations have an opportunity to support employees' basic needs, which can lead to a more productive and engaged workforce.

Conclusion and Implications

The evidence strongly suggests that food insecurity significantly impairs employee productivity, focus, and engagement through mechanisms like rumination and increased anxiety. Offering workplace food benefits or other forms of food assistance is shown to mitigate these negative impacts. As national food insecurity continues to be a concern, organizations are encouraged to recognize and address this challenge to support their employees and enhance overall workplace performance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does worrying about food affect workers?
Worrying about having enough food, called food insecurity, makes workers more anxious and less able to do their jobs well. They also tend to help coworkers less.
Q: Why does food worry make workers perform worse?
When people worry about food, they think about it a lot. These thoughts distract them from their work, making it hard to focus and do tasks.
Q: What does the new research say about food insecurity and work?
Studies in February 2026 show that food insecurity is linked to higher anxiety, lower job performance, and less engagement at work. It also makes employees less likely to help others.
Q: Can workplace food help employees who worry about food?
Yes, offering food help at work, like free meals or grocery vouchers, can lower employee anxiety and improve their work performance and engagement. This helps them focus better on their jobs.
Q: What is rumination and how does it relate to food insecurity?
Rumination means thinking about a problem over and over. For workers worried about food, these constant thoughts distract them, hurting their ability to concentrate and perform tasks at work.
Q: What should companies do about food insecurity among their staff?
Companies should know that food insecurity is a big problem that affects how well employees work. Offering food support can help employees meet their basic needs, leading to a more productive and happy workplace.