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 Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo) Daily JournalThe federal government often allocates funds to help citizens facing food insecurity and other socio-economic hardships …—Yssis Cano-Santiago
Yssis Cano-SantiagoThis 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
Amanda RadkeExamples of food insecurity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One in six kids in Michigan face food insecurity, according to the nonprofit Feeding America.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 20 June 2024
Her research in 2023 found that 44% of low-income households in L.A. faced food insecurity, the highest rate in the last decade.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
However, the strict qualification requirements for SNAP means that many families facing food insecurity aren’t eligible to receive help.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 18 June 2024
After being released, students may not have access to a vehicle, the money to afford college and face unstable housing and food insecurities.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for food insecurity 
Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 20 June 2024
Her research in 2023 found that 44% of low-income households in L.A. faced food insecurity, the highest rate in the last decade.
—Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024
However, the strict qualification requirements for SNAP means that many families facing food insecurity aren’t eligible to receive help.
—Simmone Shah, TIME, 18 June 2024
After being released, students may not have access to a vehicle, the money to afford college and face unstable housing and food insecurities.
—Emma Hall, Sacramento Bee, 10 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for food insecurity
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'food insecurity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near food insecurity
Cite this Entry
“Food insecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20insecurity. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
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