food insecurity

noun

plural food insecurities

: the fact or an instance of being unable to consistently access or afford adequate food

The USDA defines food insecurity as a household's inability to provide enough food for each person to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Food insecurity can also occur when there is an abundance of processed, pre-packaged, calorie-dense foods, because these foods do not contain adequate nutrition.

—The Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo) Daily Journal

The federal government often allocates funds to help citizens facing food insecurity and other socio-economic hardships …

—Yssis Cano-Santiago

This past year has laid bare concerns about food insecurities in this country. The pandemic has led to shortages in the grocery store on essential items like toilet paper and meat.

—Amanda Radke

Examples of food insecurity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to Enea, the company investigated the situation and has implemented training for employees on addressing food insecurity. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 10 Dec. 2024

Franciscan’s Fresh Start Market opening in Michigan City Franciscan Health’s latest Fresh Start Market is slated to open in Michigan City in December as part of the healthcare ministry’s ongoing efforts to fight food insecurity, according to a release. —Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 24 Nov. 2024

The 30-minute series, from Hearst Media Production Group, will follow everyday people who are making an impact through animal advocacy, wildlife conservation, youth empowerment and food insecurity aid. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 4 Dec. 2024

Are any of us who are lucky enough to have enough food in a position to judge those who struggle with food insecurity? —David G. Allan, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above