Food insecurity is defined as a lack of consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. In 2018, roughly 1 in 9 Americans faced food insecurity, and these numbers have only risen due to Covid-19. Food insecurity is a complex problem that differs from hunger. Hunger refers to a physical sensation of discomfort that will eventually lead to starvation if not addressed. Food insecurity refers to a lack of financial resources for adequate food, adequate meaning nutritious, plentiful, affordable. Additionally, while food insecurity and poverty are closely related, not everyone below the poverty line experiences food insecurity while others above the poverty line do.
Despite its status as a first world country, many people in the United States still face hunger and food insecurity. This is because the existence of available food does not necessarily equate to food security. In other words, availability does not mean the same thing as accessibility. For example, say a grocery store has tons of apples. On the outside, it looks like the apples can feed people facing food insecurity or hunger. In reality, these apples may not be affordable, the grocery store may be closed by the time the individual finally gets off from work, or the apples may not be a well-rounded and nutritious meal choice. Herein lies the illusion of abundance but the reality of inaccessibility. Food insecurity is not a myth. In fact, our state of Texas is sadly ranked as one of the worst states in the US in terms of food insecurity.
The topic of food insecurity affects every single community in the United States. There are four ranges of food security, ranging from high (or no problems accessing adequate food) to very low (very difficult to find steady access to food due to a lack of financial resources).
Food insecurity is about more than just food. It’s a tangled web of many different factors including race, socioeconomic level, education, poverty, human rights, politics, and more. While food insecurity will likely never fully end, it is our hope that we can do our part to lessen it.
Article sources:
hungerandhealth.feedingamerica.org
thecounter.org
scotscoop.com/food-insecurity-an-overlooked-issue-in-our-society/
Food Allergy Allies 