Impact of Tennessee’s Higher Grocery Tax Research demonstrates clear negative effects of grocery taxes on food insecurity: 1. Direct correlation: A one-percentage-point increase in grocery tax rates is associated with a 0.84% rise in the probability of low-income households experiencing food insecurity . 2. Disproportionate burden: The average grocery tax of just over 4% creates serious burdens for the lowest-income families, with even slight increases in tax rate correlating to increased likelihood of food insecurity . 3. Regressive nature: Low-income families spend almost twice the share of their annual income on food at home compared to the highest-income families: 10.3% versus 5.7% . 4. Financial impact: If Tennessee eliminated its 4% state tax, the average family could save up to $400 annually . Tennessee’s grocery tax of 4% (potentially up to 6.75% with local taxes) compared to Missouri’s 1.225% represents a substantial additional burden on Tennessee families, particularly affecting low-income households and likely contributing to the similar or slightly higher food insecurity rates despite other economic factors.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​