What Does it Mean to Be Food Insecure in America?

In 2020, an estimated one in eight Americans were food insecure, equal to over 38 million people, about 12 million of whom were children.

As a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, 42 million people may have experienced food insecurity in 2021. This amount is projected to include 13 million youngsters.

Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent availability to enough food for all members of a family to live an active, healthy lifestyle.

Food insecurity is one method researchers estimate how many individuals cannot afford food and is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a lack of continuous access to adequate food for an active, healthy life.

It is critical to understand that, although hunger and food insecurity are closely connected, they are not the same thing. Food insecurity refers to a lack of adequate financial means for food at the family level, while hunger refers to a personal, bodily experience of pain.

Extensive research has shown that food insecurity is a complicated issue. Many individuals lack the means to satisfy their basic requirements, putting their families at risk of food insecurity. Though food insecurity is strongly tied to poverty, it does not affect all persons living below the poverty level, and it may affect those living above the poverty line as well.

Food insecurity does not exist in isolation, since low-income families face various, overlapping concerns such as a lack of adequate housing, social isolation, economic/social disadvantage caused by systemic racism, chronic or acute health problems, high medical expenditures, and poor salaries.

These factors are key social determinants of health, which are described as conditions in the surroundings in which individuals are born, live, study, work, play, worship, and age that impact a broad variety of health, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes and hazards.

Food insecurity interventions that are effective must address the overlapping issues provided by the socioeconomic determinants of health. Hunger + Health investigates the impact of food insecurity as a social determinant of health, as well as its influence on individual and population health outcomes.

Who is Affected by Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity has no one face since it affects every neighborhood in the United States. See Map the Meal Gap research for more information on child and general food insecurity in your state, including congressional districts and county-level statistics. Visit the following sites for further information about food insecurity in certain populations:

• Seniors
• Children
• Rural Communities
• African Americans
• Latinos

Ways to Combat Food Insecurity

While there is much debate on how to prevent Americans from becoming food insecure, below are the arguments that make the most sense.

Feeding America is a network of 200 food banks around the country devoted to eradicating hunger on a national scale. Prevention and Hearst Magazines are dedicated to putting an end to hunger in collaboration with Feeding America. Donate and volunteer with your local chapter to help food banks feed needy families.

Mutual Aid organizations are formed by community people who take direct action to care for one another, particularly in the face of difficulties such as food shortages. They’ve risen in popularity since the epidemic began, so many towns already have a network in place. Search social media or Mutual Aid Hub to discover one near you. And if there isn’t currently an organization, establish one — you’ll discover that many individuals in your community want to contribute as well.

Food insecurity does not occur in isolation; it is the product of broader, systemic injustices that impact millions of Americans. Policy can avoid more individuals from falling into the extreme financial difficulties that lead to hunger. Write or phone your local legislators to advocate for legislation that would boost food availability, such as extending SNAP benefits, raising the minimum wage, and financing food projects.

Getting hands-on is one of the most effective methods to combat food poverty. No one should feel forced to volunteer during the new coronavirus epidemic, but if you can, the food banks in your region would most likely benefit from your assistance. Find volunteer opportunities via Feeding America or services like VolunteerMatch, which connect you with local groups.