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 RadkeExamples of food insecurity in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
By the numbers: The survey found 72% of workers had no benefits, 32% lived below the federal poverty level and 20% reported regular food insecurity, while just 18% had health insurance and 12% had paid time off and/or sick leave.
—Annalise Frank, Axios, 27 Jan. 2025
Purdue University's Consumer Food Insights report found food inflation disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, with 26% of consumers in poor health experiencing food insecurity compared to just 8% in excellent health.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed famine in Sudan's North Darfur region, with more than 24.6 million people—over half the country's population—facing acute food insecurity.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
The Center for Food Equity in Medicine is tackling food insecurity on multiple fronts, making food available at no cost to cancer patients and others battling life altering illnesses.
—Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for food insecurity 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Annalise Frank, Axios, 27 Jan. 2025
Purdue University's Consumer Food Insights report found food inflation disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, with 26% of consumers in poor health experiencing food insecurity compared to just 8% in excellent health.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed famine in Sudan's North Darfur region, with more than 24.6 million people—over half the country's population—facing acute food insecurity.
—Raul A. Reyes, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
The Center for Food Equity in Medicine is tackling food insecurity on multiple fronts, making food available at no cost to cancer patients and others battling life altering illnesses.
—Francine Knowles, Chicago Tribune, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for food insecurity
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 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share