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
Yet despite the abundance of citrus growth, food insecurity is a pressing issue in Los Angeles.
—Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
The drive benefits the 4 Community Care food pantry that serves seniors and families living within the Poway Unified School District boundaries dealing with food insecurity.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Sudan’s war erupted after tensions between the army and the RSF escalated into fighting that began in Khartoum and spread nationwide, killing thousands and triggering mass displacement, disease outbreaks and severe food insecurity.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Feeding Northeast Florida's sixth annual Bourbon & Brisket event raised enough money from sips and bites to provide 275,000 meals for area residents facing food insecurity, according to the organizers.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for food insecurity
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Daily News, 4 Mar. 2026
The drive benefits the 4 Community Care food pantry that serves seniors and families living within the Poway Unified School District boundaries dealing with food insecurity.
—Pomerado News, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Sudan’s war erupted after tensions between the army and the RSF escalated into fighting that began in Khartoum and spread nationwide, killing thousands and triggering mass displacement, disease outbreaks and severe food insecurity.
—ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Feeding Northeast Florida's sixth annual Bourbon & Brisket event raised enough money from sips and bites to provide 275,000 meals for area residents facing food insecurity, according to the organizers.
—Beth Reese Cravey, Florida Times-Union, 25 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 2026.
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