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 stark reality of food insecurity hits particularly hard on the weekends, when delivery is not required.
—Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
In a city where nearly 20% of the residents experience food insecurity, mutual aid like community fridges already exist in many neighborhoods.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Proceeds benefit the farm’s mission to provide fresh food to San Diegans experiencing food insecurity.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
The program provides fresh produce to 1500 families and individuals facing food insecurity and vocational horticulture opportunities to 200 people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities each year.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for food insecurity
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Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025
In a city where nearly 20% of the residents experience food insecurity, mutual aid like community fridges already exist in many neighborhoods.
—Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
Proceeds benefit the farm’s mission to provide fresh food to San Diegans experiencing food insecurity.
—Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
The program provides fresh produce to 1500 families and individuals facing food insecurity and vocational horticulture opportunities to 200 people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities each year.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 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 23 Dec. 2025.
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