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

Experts who spoke to Scientific American said these programs can have broad benefits, including on student test scores, absenteeism and food insecurity. — Ari Sen, Scientific American, 15 Sep. 2026

California Native Americans face disproportionately high rates of food insecurity and health issues compared to the rest of the population due to decades of harm to tribal communities in the United States. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

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

According to an Emory University study conducted this year, one in three Georgia families face food insecurity because of rising grocery prices and problems accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 9 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