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 Radke
Examples of food insecurity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The new report found that under the 2-degree warming scenario, there would be 525 million additional people experiencing significant food insecurity by 2031-2060.
—Dr. Khushali Jhaveri, ABC News, 14 Nov. 2023
Internally, acute food insecurity has spiked, with 6 million people on the precipice of famine, according to relief organizations operating inside Sudan.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
In a meeting with young members of Future Farmers of America from the Midwest, the pitch involved food insecurity and Russia’s harsh efforts to block shipments of Ukrainian grain, which contribute to shortages in key parts of the world.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2023
Additionally, 40% of HBCU students experience food insecurity according to data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 3 Nov. 2023
Since the closure began in 2007, restrictions on the import of goods, the movement of people and access to basic resources like electricity have produced dire conditions for Palestinians, including over 45% unemployment and food insecurity among 70% of households.
—Michael Vicente Perez, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023
Some 20 million Sudanese people face acute food insecurity.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there had been improvements in addressing food insecurity among kids, said Lisa Davis, the senior vice president of Share Our Strength, a national organization working to end childhood hunger and poverty.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2023
One of the ironies is that despite the relatively positive global crop situation, the world’s push to reduce food insecurity has stalled.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
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Dr. Khushali Jhaveri, ABC News, 14 Nov. 2023
Internally, acute food insecurity has spiked, with 6 million people on the precipice of famine, according to relief organizations operating inside Sudan.
—Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Oct. 2023
In a meeting with young members of Future Farmers of America from the Midwest, the pitch involved food insecurity and Russia’s harsh efforts to block shipments of Ukrainian grain, which contribute to shortages in key parts of the world.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2023
Additionally, 40% of HBCU students experience food insecurity according to data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 3 Nov. 2023
Since the closure began in 2007, restrictions on the import of goods, the movement of people and access to basic resources like electricity have produced dire conditions for Palestinians, including over 45% unemployment and food insecurity among 70% of households.
—Michael Vicente Perez, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023
Some 20 million Sudanese people face acute food insecurity.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2023
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, there had been improvements in addressing food insecurity among kids, said Lisa Davis, the senior vice president of Share Our Strength, a national organization working to end childhood hunger and poverty.
—Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 25 Oct. 2023
One of the ironies is that despite the relatively positive global crop situation, the world’s push to reduce food insecurity has stalled.
—Laurent Belsie, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Oct. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'food insecurity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1950, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near food insecurity
Cite this Entry
“Food insecurity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20insecurity. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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