We hear the word stigma a lot. People might say, “There’s a stigma around asking for help,” or “They felt stigmatized.” But what does that really mean, especially when it comes to things like food insecurity?

In everyday conversation, stigma usually means someone being judged or treated unfairly. But in science and public health, stigma is more than just one person being treated badly. It also includes unfair systems, public attitudes, and even how people feel about themselves. Let’s break it down using the Stigma and Food Inequity Framework, a tool researchers use to understand how stigma shows up in people’s lives and makes it harder for them to get the food they need.

 

1. Structural-Level Stigma

This kind of stigma is built into policies, rules, and systems.
It’s not about one person’s actions—it’s about the way things are set up.

Example:
A food pantry that requires a lot of personal information to get help or a government program with complicated paperwork that makes it hard to apply.

 

2. Individual-Level Stigma

This form of stigma is personal.

It shows up in relationships with others, and even in the way someone sees themselves. It includes two parts (target and perceiver).

 

1. Target Stigma – What people experience when they are stigmatized

This is the stigma that directly affects people who are food insecure. It shows up in three ways:

• Anticipated Stigma

The fear that others will judge you.
Example: Avoiding a food pantry because you’re afraid people will think less of you.

• Enacted Stigma

When you’re actually treated unfairly or shamed.
Example: A cashier makes a rude comment when you pay with food benefits.

• Internalized Stigma

When you start to believe the negative thoughts others say about you.
Example: Feeling like a bad parent because you need help feeding your family—even though food insecurity is not your fault.

 

1. Perceiver Stigma – What people believe about others

This includes the thoughts and behaviors of people who hold stigma toward others. It has three parts too:

• Stereotypes

The assumptions people make about other groups.
Example: Thinking that people who use food stamps are lazy or irresponsible.

• Prejudice

The negative feelings people have toward others because of those stereotypes.
Example: Feeling annoyed or resentful toward people who receive food assistance.

• Discrimination

The actions that come from stereotypes and prejudice.
Example: Refusing to donate to a food pantry because you don’t believe people “deserve” help.

 

Why This Matters

Stigma is more than just feeling bad. It can actually stop people from getting the help they need, which makes food insecurity worse. It also adds to bigger problems, like health and income inequality—especially for people who are already facing other kinds of discrimination. Understanding stigma helps us create better systems and more compassionate support for everyone.

For many Americans, food pantries offer a vital lifeline. But for those who rely on them, the need for nourishment can come with something else— stigma.

New research from the Food Stigma Research Lab highlights how anticipated stigma—the fear of being judged—emerges as the most common barrier faced by people accessing food assistance. This internal anxiety often manifests as embarrassment or nervousness, especially during initial visits.

“I think the very first time I went, I felt a little embarrassed at first,” shared a 65-year-old pantry client from Pennsylvania. “But I’m okay with it now. It doesn’t hurt me, it doesn’t make me feel any different. If you need stuff, you need stuff.”

For others, that sense of shame lingers, prompting efforts to stay anonymous. One woman described her approach: “If you don’t want nobody to see you, don’t park right in front of the place. Just park up the street a little bit… pull your hair back, put on a baseball cap, put on a mask, and go get yourself right.”

These stories reveal the quiet burdens many carry in their search for basic needs—burdens shaped not just by hunger, but by how society views those who ask for help. Addressing food insecurity means more than providing groceries. It means creating environments that affirm dignity, reduce shame, and remind people that needing support should never feel like a secret.