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

Food insecurity is linked to numerous situations, including poverty, job layoffs and living in food deserts …

—Lelia Durand

Examples of food insecurity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Feeding America estimates that among adults age 60 and older across the Carolinas, the food insecurity rate is about 8%, based on Map the Meal Gap findings. — Anita Bachmann, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Around 35,000 people are believed to need safe temporary accommodation, while 43,000 are feared to be at immediate risk of food insecurity, according to a United Nations report. — Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026

In rural areas, food insecurity helps armed groups recruit soldiers and causes disputes over scarce land and water resources. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 Sep. 2026

Latest analysis from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) projects that by the end of 2027, as many as 274 million people worldwide could face acute food insecurity—an increase of approximately 49 million from current levels. — CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for food insecurity

• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• security
• purity
• surety