Food insecurity is a pressing issue affecting millions, and understanding its complexities is crucial. The sight of long lines at food banks, especially during economic downturns like the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the vulnerability of access to healthy food for many. But what does it mean to be food insecure? This article delves into the definition, measurement, and underlying causes of food insecurity, distinguishing it from food insufficiency and examining how it has evolved over time.
Defining Food Insecurity: More Than Just Hunger
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines food insecurity as “the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways,” according to the Economic Research Service. This definition extends beyond simply not having enough food; it encompasses a lack of variety, quality, and desirability in the diet. It also considers the social acceptability of obtaining food. A crucial aspect is that food insecurity is assessed over a period, typically the past year or month, reflecting ongoing challenges rather than isolated incidents.
In contrast, food security signifies “consistent access to enough food for active, healthy lives for all household members at all times during the year,” highlighting the stability and reliability of food access.
A more severe form, very low food security, indicates “multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake,” representing a significant disruption in dietary habits.
Food insufficiency, on the other hand, is a more straightforward measure, focusing on whether there was enough food to eat. While these terms overlap, food insufficiency often signals very low food security.
Measuring Food Insecurity: Surveys and Data Collection
The USDA, in collaboration with the Census Bureau, conducts an annual survey called the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS) to measure food insecurity. This survey, involving 40,000 nationally representative households, assesses their ability to meet food needs by evaluating the frequency and severity of food shortages or reductions in food quality. Questions cover topics like portion sizes, feelings of hunger or worry about food, and weight loss due to lack of food. Based on responses, households are classified as food insecure or having very low food security, with different thresholds for households with and without children.
In addition to the CPS-FSS, the Census Bureau conducts the bi-weekly Household Pulse Survey, particularly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey includes a direct question about whether households had enough to eat in the past week or two, allowing for more frequent monitoring of food insufficiency.
These surveys also gather demographic and socio-economic data, such as race, age, employment status, income, education, housing, and health status, providing a comprehensive picture of the factors associated with food insecurity.
It’s important to note that official metrics on hunger specifically are no longer collected, as it is considered a subjective, individual-level experience that may not directly correlate with food insecurity.
Organizations like Feeding America, a nationwide network of food banks, also contribute to understanding food insecurity by publishing county-level data based on surveys and correlated factors like poverty, unemployment, and disability prevalence.
Historical Trends: Economic Indicators and Food Insecurity
Official metrics estimated that 10.5 percent of Americans (35.2 million) were food insecure in 2019, including 4.1 percent (9 million) with very low food security and 3.7 percent (9 million) who were food insufficient. While overall food insecurity decreased slightly from 2018, very low food security remained virtually unchanged, indicating that the most vulnerable individuals were not benefiting from improvements.
Historically, food insecurity rates have been relatively stable, but closely tied to economic fluctuations. Increased unemployment and decreased income are strongly correlated with higher rates of food insecurity, particularly very low food security.
The impact of food prices is more complex, influenced by both supply and demand. For example, the 2007-2008 price spike led to increased food insecurity, which persisted even after prices dropped due to the economic recession.
What Causes Food Insecurity? Risk Factors and Underlying Issues
Several factors contribute to food insecurity, often interconnected and complex:
- Low Income: Low-income households are significantly more likely to experience food insecurity. Employment status, particularly unemployment or low-wage jobs, is also a key determinant.
- Food Deserts and Swamps: Lack of access to grocery stores or markets selling fresh food in certain neighborhoods, often referred to as “food deserts” or “food swamps,” limits dietary quality and variety. These areas often have a higher concentration of fast food restaurants and convenience stores.
- Disability: Disability can limit earning potential and the ability to prepare meals or shop for groceries, significantly increasing the risk of food insecurity.
- Housing Instability: Homelessness and renting, as opposed to owning a home, are associated with higher rates of food insecurity, reflecting income challenges and housing costs.
- Lack of Transportation: Car ownership facilitates grocery shopping and access to a wider range of food options. Lack of transportation can restrict individuals to purchasing only what they can carry or easily transport via public transit.
Geographic Disparities and Poverty
Food insecurity is not evenly distributed across the country. The South generally has a higher concentration of food-insecure households. This pattern strongly correlates with poverty rates.
The Impact of COVID-19: A Continuing Concern
The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the issue of food insecurity. Household Pulse Surveys suggest that food insufficiency has fluctuated between 8.5 percent and 12 percent during the pandemic.
Addressing Food Insecurity: A Multifaceted Approach
Understanding what it means to be food insecure is the first step toward addressing this complex issue. By recognizing the various factors contributing to food insecurity, from economic challenges to geographic disparities, and by continuing to monitor its prevalence, we can work towards creating more equitable access to nutritious and affordable food for all.
References
https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/measurement/
https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/45655/29206_err29_002.pdf?v=41334
https://map.feedingamerica.org/
Coleman-Jensen A, Rabbitt MP, Gregory CA, Singh A. Household food insecurity in the United States in 2016. USDA-ERS Economic Research Report No. (ERR-237). 2017
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3794652/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3365871/
https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-019-1114-z
Kristen Wiig Dammann and Chery Smith. 2009. “Factors Affecting Low-income Women’s Food Choices and the Perceived Impact of Dietary Intake and Socioeconomic Status on Their Health and Weight,” Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 41:4, 242–53; Renee Walker, Jason Block, and Ichiro Kawachi. 2012. “Do residents of food deserts express different food buying preferences compared to residents of food oases? A mixed-methods analysis ,” International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 9:41.
