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
In September, the government decided to stop the annual food insecurity survey altogether.
—Annemarie Dooling, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
Back in November, the organization’s two Arizona chapters hastily organized food and formula drives to combat heightened food insecurity caused by SNAP Benefit cuts during the government shutdown.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
DeMatteo will share how access to gardening, fresh food, and agricultural education can be transformative for individuals and families facing food insecurity, and how horticulture has the power to restore both communities and the land.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2025, United Way distributed $250,000 in emergency response grants to 24 organizations combating food insecurity.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for food insecurity
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Annemarie Dooling, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
Back in November, the organization’s two Arizona chapters hastily organized food and formula drives to combat heightened food insecurity caused by SNAP Benefit cuts during the government shutdown.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 17 Feb. 2026
DeMatteo will share how access to gardening, fresh food, and agricultural education can be transformative for individuals and families facing food insecurity, and how horticulture has the power to restore both communities and the land.
—News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Feb. 2026
In 2025, United Way distributed $250,000 in emergency response grants to 24 organizations combating food insecurity.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 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 21 Feb. 2026.
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