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
During Monday’s event, the company presented a $50,000 donation and pledging 500 volunteer hours to Nourish Up, formerly Fishes & Loaves, a nonprofit addressing food insecurity for Charlotte families.
—Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Millions could fall into acute food insecurity if the war does not end by the middle of the year and if oil prices remain above $100 a barrel, according to a new analysis, the WFP said in a statement on its website today.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In February, basketball superstar and Hopkins native Paige Bueckers donated $50,000 to the Hopkins Education Foundation to help with food insecurities and rent relief during the immigration crackdown.
—Marielle Mohs, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
During the intake process, the patient mentioned an unstable housing environment, food insecurity, and child care challenges.
—Courtney McFarland, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for food insecurity
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Charlotte Observer, 17 Mar. 2026
Millions could fall into acute food insecurity if the war does not end by the middle of the year and if oil prices remain above $100 a barrel, according to a new analysis, the WFP said in a statement on its website today.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 17 Mar. 2026
In February, basketball superstar and Hopkins native Paige Bueckers donated $50,000 to the Hopkins Education Foundation to help with food insecurities and rent relief during the immigration crackdown.
—Marielle Mohs, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
During the intake process, the patient mentioned an unstable housing environment, food insecurity, and child care challenges.
—Courtney McFarland, STAT, 17 Mar. 2026
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 Mar. 2026.
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