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 RadkeFood insecurity is linked to numerous situations, including poverty, job layoffs and living in food deserts …—Lelia Durand
Lelia DurandExamples of food insecurity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The pantry provides students, staff and faculty with assistance for food insecurity.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025
Each Saturday, volunteers ensured 440 families received boxes containing up to 5 days of nutrition, providing both an immediate lifeline and a foundation for long-term wellness in a community where food insecurity affects over 60% of households.
—Silvia Solis, AZCentral.com, 23 Nov. 2025
The report revealed that 37% of Massachusetts households faced food insecurity in 2024, rising from 34% in 2023 and nearly doubling from 19% in 2019.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
According to Feeding America, over 17,000 children in Denver face food insecurity, comprising 13% of the total number of children in the state who struggle with it.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for food insecurity
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Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025
Each Saturday, volunteers ensured 440 families received boxes containing up to 5 days of nutrition, providing both an immediate lifeline and a foundation for long-term wellness in a community where food insecurity affects over 60% of households.
—Silvia Solis, AZCentral.com, 23 Nov. 2025
The report revealed that 37% of Massachusetts households faced food insecurity in 2024, rising from 34% in 2023 and nearly doubling from 19% in 2019.
—Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
According to Feeding America, over 17,000 children in Denver face food insecurity, comprising 13% of the total number of children in the state who struggle with it.
—Christa Swanson, CBS News, 22 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for food insecurity
Cite this Entry
“Food insecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20insecurity. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
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