The largest study of hunger ever conducted in the United States shows that minorities and families with children are disproportionately affected in Rhode Island.

Fifty-three thousand Rhode Islanders accessed food pantries and soup kitchens last year, an increase of 43 percent in just one year.

The vast majority -- 76 percent -- have income at or below the federal poverty level, defined as an annual income of $22,000 for a family of four.

What's more, minorities and families with children are affected in numbers far greater than their share of the population according to Andrew Schiff, director of the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

The report -- called "Hunger in America" -- ranks Rhode Island 32nd for food insecurity. Mississippi was number one; North Dakota was 51. Flo Jonic has the story for WRNI.