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What is Food Insecurity?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Food insecurity is a situation in which people cannot meet their dietary needs consistently. This may range from situations in which people experience periodic trouble with food access to famine, in which people are simply unable to obtain food at any time. Globally, inconsistent access to food is an issue of considerable concern politically, environmentally, socially, and ethically. A number of programs have been put in place to fight hunger and reduce food insecurity.

A number of things can lead to food insecurity. One simple cause is lack of economic access. People who do not have money cannot afford to buy food or cannot afford to make sound nutritional choices because they lack the funds to make good purchasing decisions. Some programs which are concerned with food security issues provide access to food through food stamps, food banks, and other measures which are designed to provide hungry people with nutritious food.

Food drives can help alleviate food insecurity.
Food drives can help alleviate food insecurity.

Food insecurity can also be related to issues such as climate change, which can have a profound impact on crops, along with political or social unrest. If a country is in turmoil, food deliveries may be delayed, leading to the inability to access food at any price, and farmers may also have difficulty getting crops in the ground. Wars can also lead to the destruction of crops and farmland, leaving hunger in their aftermath. Cultural values about food and eating may also be involved in food security. For example, in some cultures lower ranking members of the household eat last, and may not have access to the more nutritious components of a meal.

People living in poverty often face food insecurity.
People living in poverty often face food insecurity.

In some countries there are safety nets in place which are intended to assist people during periods of food insecurity. Even in these nations, however, hunger and malnutrition are ongoing issues. In the United States, for example, the United States Department of Agriculture noted in 2008 that approximately 15% of American households experienced food insecurity at some point during the year. Public assistance and benefits do not kick in immediately and during periods in which people experience problems getting food there may be a delay between the onset of the problem and the provision of help.

The consistent lack of access to food in many areas is an enormous, pressing global issue.
The consistent lack of access to food in many areas is an enormous, pressing global issue.

Socially, food insecurity is an issue because it can lead to food riots, rising food prices in response to competition which cause unrest, and other causes of social and political instability. It is also an environmental concern as there are close ties between food production and environmental health. There are also ethical concerns; many people believe that other people should not be allowed to go hungry and that people and governments in a position to alleviate hunger have an obligation to act.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Lostnfound

@Grivusangel -- Our church participates in a backpack snacks project, which is where we provide convenience foods and snacks in backpacks for children to take home on the weekends when they might not have another food source.

This is primarily focused on children who are already qualifying for a free or reduce price lunch. These children often face food insecurity and the packs of food for the weekend ensure they will get at least something to eat those days.

Grivusangel

To help combat food insecurity in our community, my church gives away bags of beans and rice once a month. We just put one-pound bags of each in a plastic bag, include cooking instructions and hand them out to anyone who comes, no questions asked.

We have had a good response, and people are starting to associate us with the program. "You're the beans and rice church, right?" It's a really good feeling to know that we're a small church, but we are able to do something for the people in our little corner of the world who need a little something extra. It's not much. Church members contribute the dry goods, but it might mean everything to a family whose food stamps have run out and they won't get any more until the first of the month. It's great knowing we might have helped someone in that way.

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    • Food drives can help alleviate food insecurity.
      By: mangostock
      Food drives can help alleviate food insecurity.
    • People living in poverty often face food insecurity.
      By: Halfpoint
      People living in poverty often face food insecurity.
    • The consistent lack of access to food in many areas is an enormous, pressing global issue.
      By: poco_bw
      The consistent lack of access to food in many areas is an enormous, pressing global issue.
    • In the United States, up to 20% of households experience food insecurity in any given year.
      By: Tatyana Gladskih
      In the United States, up to 20% of households experience food insecurity in any given year.
    • Food insecurity is still widespread in the United States and other industrialized nations.
      By: JackF
      Food insecurity is still widespread in the United States and other industrialized nations.
    • Issues such as war and climate change can negatively impact farming, leading to food security issues.
      By: Johan Larson
      Issues such as war and climate change can negatively impact farming, leading to food security issues.