3.3: Food Security

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Jan Dowell and Erin Shanle
Lincoln Land Community College via Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)

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Food Security

Over 330 million people live in America and just over 8 billion on the entire Earth. Modern food systems are regulated for food safety, but they must also be designed to feed everyone in communities across the world. In a perfect world, everyone would have food security or the ability to physically access and afford to buy sufficient and safe, nutritious food for a healthful, active lifestyle. Unfortunately, millions of people across the world experience food insecurity and do not have access to enough nutritious foods.

Hunger and Malnutrition

Food insecurity leads to hunger and malnutrition. Physiologically, hunger relates to appetite and is the body’s response to a need for nourishment. Through stomach discomfort or intestinal rumbling, the body alerts the brain that it requires food. This uneasy sensation is easily addressed with a snack or a full meal. However, the term “hunger” also relates to a weakened condition that results from a prolonged lack of food. People who suffer from this form of hunger typically experience poor growth and development.

A person living in a food-insecure household may also suffer from malnutrition, which results from a failure to meet nutrient requirements. This can occur as a result of consuming too little food or not enough key nutrients. There are two basic types of malnutrition. One is undernutrition, which includes stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), underweight (low weight for age), and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals). The other is overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer) (Figure $\PageIndex{1}$).¹

Adequate food intake that meets nutritional requirements is essential to achieve a healthy, productive lifestyle. However, millions of people in North America, not to mention globally, go hungry and are malnourished each year due to a recurring and involuntary lack of food. In 2022, between 691 and 783 million people, or almost 9% of the world's population, faced hunger.² Every night, millions of people go to sleep hungry because they lack the money or resources needed to acquire an adequate amount of food.

Types of Malnutrition

5 types of malnutrition are stunting, wasting, underweight, nutrient deficient, overweight

Figure $\PageIndex{1}$. Five types of malnutrition. Source: Erin Shanle licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Food Insecurity in the United States

Most American households are considered to be food secure, which means they have adequate access to food and consume enough nutrients to achieve a healthy lifestyle. However, approximately 10% of US households experienced food insecurity at certain points during 2021, and 3.8% experienced very low food security, which occurs when one or more household members experienced reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns due to limited resources for obtaining food. Unfortunately, this has been a consistent finding over the past 20 years (Figure $\PageIndex{2}$). In addition, food insecurity affects African American and Hispanic households at a much higher rate, with almost 20% of these households experiencing food insecurity in 2021.³ Households experiencing food insecurity report some common issues they face (Figure $\PageIndex{3}$). For example, almost all households with very low food security worried about food running out, could not afford a balanced meal, and ate less than they felt they should. Even a small percentage of households considered food secure could not afford a balanced meal.⁴

Food Insecurity in the United States

Figure $\PageIndex{2}$. Percent of households experiencing food insecurity between 2001 and 2021.³ Source: Coleman-Jensen, Alisha, Matthew P. Rabbitt, Christian A. Gregory, Anita Singh, September 2022. Household Food Security in the United States in 2021, ERR-309, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.

Characteristics of Food Insecurity

Figure $\PageIndex{3}$. Percentage of U.S. households reporting indicators of adult food insecurity in 2021.⁴ Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service (2022, October 17). Definitions of Food Security. Retrieved July 21, 2023, from https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food...food-security/

Risk Factors for Food Insecurity

Worldwide, several risk factors contribute to food insecurity. Urbanization, wars, and the pandemic have impacted food insecurity throughout the world. Food insecurity is more prevalent for women, people with low incomes living in rural areas, and people affected by natural disasters and conflicts. Malnutrition is also fueled by the increased availability of cheaper, pre-packaged, and fast foods that are often high in calories, fats, sugars, and/or salt. Globally, there is insufficient availability of vegetables and fruits to meet everyone's daily requirements for a healthy diet, and food costs have steadily increased. These challenges have contributed to increases in the number of overweight children, especially in urban areas.⁵

In the United States, there are additional subgroups that are more likely than others to face hunger and malnutrition. They include low-income families and the working poor, who are employed but have incomes below the federal poverty level, and certain ethnic and racial groups.³

Senior citizens are also a major at-risk group, and it is estimated that 1 in 14 seniors face hunger.⁶ Many elderly people are frail and isolated, which affects their ability to meet their dietary requirements. In addition, many have low incomes, limited resources, and difficulty purchasing or preparing food due to health issues or poor mobility.

Food insecurity has a major impact on children, who need proper nutrition to grow and develop. Hunger delays their growth and development and affects their educational progress because it is more difficult for hungry or malnourished students to concentrate in school. In addition, children who are undernourished are more susceptible to contracting diseases such as measles and pneumonia. Children who are overweight have an increased risk for cardiovascular problems, infections, and diabetes.⁷ In the United States, it is estimated that over 9 million children face food insecurity.⁶

Community Nutrition Programs in the United States

The field of community nutrition aims to improve the overall health of individuals and groups by providing education and support for good nutrition. Private organizations, community members, and government agencies can all work towards improving community nutrition. Community nutrition programs can be designed to target specific groups, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, or low-income households. In the United States, the USDA organizes and operates several programs to improve food security for different groups or communities through its Food and Nutrition Service Division.⁸ They provide low-income households with access to food, the tools for consuming a healthy diet, and education about nutrition. The USDA also monitors the extent and severity of food insecurity via an annual survey. This contributes to the efficiency of food assistance programs as well as the effectiveness of private charities and other initiatives aimed at reducing food insecurity.

The federal poverty level (FPL) is used to determine eligibility for many federal food-assistance programs. This monetary figure is the minimum amount a family would need to acquire shelter, food, clothing, and other necessities. It is calculated based on family size and is adjusted for annual inflation. Although many people who fall below the FPL are unemployed, the working poor can qualify for food programs and other forms of public assistance if their income is less than a certain percentage of the federal poverty level, along with other qualifications.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits for low-income households to purchase approved food items at authorized stores. Like most USDA programs, this program is funded through the USDA and administered by state agencies. Clients qualify for the program based on available household income, assets, and certain basic expenses. In an average month, SNAP provides benefits to more than forty million people in the United States. The program provides Electronic Benefit Transfers (EBT), which work similarly to a debit card. Clients receive a card with a certain allocation of money for each month that can be used only for food. In 2021, the average benefit was about $218 per person per month, and total federal expenditures for the program were $113.8 billion.³

Education is a large component of many community nutrition programs, including SNAP. SNAP-Ed is an evidence-based program that helps people stretch their SNAP dollars and teaches them how to shop for and cook healthy meals and lead physically active lifestyles. SNAP-Ed partners with state and local organizations to meet people where they are. SNAP-Ed initiatives include nutrition education classes, social marketing campaigns, and efforts to improve policies, systems, and the environment of communities.⁹

The Special, Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children

The Special, Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides food packages to pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as to infants and children up to age five, to promote adequate intake for healthy growth and development. Similar to SNAP, state agencies are responsible for administering the benefits provided by the USDA. Most state WIC agencies have replaced paper vouchers with the WIC EBT system. Benefits are issued to participants on WIC EBT cards for redemption at WIC-authorized grocery stores. In 2021, WIC served about 6.2 million participants per month at an average monthly cost for food (after rebates to WIC from manufacturers) of about $35 per person.³

The National School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer Food Service Programs

The USDA funds several programs to ensure school-age children have access to healthy meals. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the School Breakfast Program (SBP) ensure that children and teens in schools receive at least one healthy meal each school day, or two if both the NSLP and SBP are provided. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) operates in more than 97,000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential childcare institutions. All children attending participating schools are eligible to receive lunch, with lunches available for free to low-income children or at a reduced price. Schools are reimbursed by the USDA for all meals served under the program on a sliding scale based on whether meals are free, reduced-price, or full-price. The Summer Food Service (SFS) Program provides meals at summer sites in low-income communities, where sponsors often also offer enrichment activities, or in approved rural communities facing access issues via grab-n-go or delivery.³

Vegetables for Lunch

Figure $\PageIndex{4}$. The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement staff helps qualified companies sell their products to USDA for the National School Lunch Program and other federal nutrition programs.¹⁰ Photo by Hakim Fobia. Source: "School Lunch Veggies" by USDAgov is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), eligible children and adults are enrolled for care at participating childcare centers, daycare homes, and adult daycare centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in afterschool care programs, children residing in emergency shelters, and adults over the age of 60 or living with a disability and enrolled in daycare facilities. CACFP contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and elderly adults in the United States.¹¹

Non-Profit Organizations

Other forms of assistance include locally operated charitable organizations that acquire food from local manufacturers, retailers, farmers, and community members to give to low-income families. Neighborhood soup kitchens provide meals to the homeless and other people in need. These and other organizations are run by nonprofit groups and religious institutions to provide an additional safety net for those in need of food.

Feeding America

The Feeding America network is a nationwide charitable organization that consists of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries across America. Food banks collect and store large amounts of food distributed to smaller food pantries run by local organizations. People facing food insecurity can get food from food pantries in their community. Feeding America also provides nutrition education and food insecurity research to help fight hunger and malnutrition. They help individuals apply for SNAP benefits, set up mobile food pantries, and connect individuals with nutrition services in their local community.¹²

Feeding America

Video $\PageIndex{1}$. Feeding America is a non-profit organization that helps fight hunger in the United States.¹³Source: [Feeding America]. (2021, October 8). How We Work 2021 - Feeding America [Video]. YouTube. https://www.feedingamerica.org/

Congregate Meal Programs

In 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) was passed by the United States Congress in response to a lack of community social services for older Americans. The Administration for Community is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that uses funds from the OAA to congregate meal programs that serve older Americans nutritious meals in a group setting. The goal is to provide not only nutritious meals but also opportunities for older adults to socialize with each other and connect with services in their community.¹⁴ Congregate meal programs can be organized at senior centers, churches, schools, or farmer's markets. Participants pay what they can and enjoy an experience that supports the social and emotional dimensions of wellness with a hot, nutritious meal.¹⁵

Meals on Wheels

An organization called Meals on Wheels delivers meals to elderly people who have difficulty buying or making their own food because of poor health or limited mobility. It is the oldest and largest program dedicated to addressing the nutritional needs of senior citizens. Each day, Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver more than one million meals across the United States. The first Meals on Wheels program began in Philadelphia in the 1950's. In the decades since, the organization has expanded into a vast network that serves the elderly in all fifty states and several US territories. Today, Meals on Wheels remains committed to ending hunger among the senior citizen community.¹⁶

Meals on Wheels

Meals on wheels volunteer delivering to an elderly resident.

Figure $\PageIndex{5}$: MINNEAPOLIS (July 18, 2017) Special Operator 1st Class Brandon Peterson, a member of the U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, the Leap Frogs, delivers Meals-on-Wheels to elderly and homebound residents as part of Minneapolis/St. Paul Navy Week.¹⁷ (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Pyoung K. Yi/Released)170718-N-VY375-309 Source: "Sailor delivers Meals-on-Wheels to elderly and homebound residents." by Official U.S. Navy Imagery is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Attributions

Zimmerman, "An Introduction to Nutrition (Zimmerman)," CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. The original material was reorganized and updated. New figures and video links were added. New references were added.

References

Malnutrition. World Health Organization. Published April 15, 2020. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/malnutrition.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. Published 2023. Accessed July 29, 2023. https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000151116/download/?_ga=2.63325807.1926440028.1692634119-730552894.1692634119.
Coleman-Jensen A, Rabbitt MP, Gregory CA, Singh A. Household Food Security in the United States in 2021. USDA. Published September 2022. Accessed July 20, 2023. https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/104656/err-309.pdf.
Definitions of Food Security. US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. usda.gov. Updated October 17, 2022. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/definitions-of-food-security/.
FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP, WHO.The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023: Urbanization, Agrifood Systems Transformation and Healthy Diets Across the Rural-Urban Continuum. FAO. Published 2023. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.fao.org/3/cc3017en/online/cc3017en.html.
Hunger in America: Hunger Facts. Feeding America. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america.
UNICEF. The State of the World's Children. 2019. Children, Food and Nutrition: Growing Well in a Changing World. Published October 2019. Accessed July 20, 2023. https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3896035?ln=en.
FNS Nutrition Programs. US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. usda.gov. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.fns.usda.gov/programs.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed). US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Published May 19, 2023. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-ed.
US Department of Agriculture. School lunch veggies. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/41284017@N08/8671480751. Published April 22, 2013. Accessed July 6, 2023.
Child and Adult Care Food Program. US Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp.
Feeding America. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.feedingamerica.org.
Feeding America. How We Work 2021--Feeding America [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Py5JW5J8afg?si=zOykL4sOcswaxMkz. Published October 8, 2021.Accessed July 19, 2023.
Basics of Congregate. Nutrition and Aging Resource Center. Updated July 5, 2023. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://acl.gov/senior-nutrition/basics-congregate.
Stone D. What is a Congregate Meal? How Do They Benefit Older Adults? National Council on Aging. Published February 9, 2023. Accessed July 24, 2023. https://ncoa.org/article/what-is-a-congregate-meal-how-do-they-benefit-older-adults.
Meals on Wheels America. Accessed July 24, 2023. https://mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
Official US Navy Page. Sailor delivers Meals-on-Wheels to elderly and homebound residents. Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/56594044@N06/35855356622. Published July 19, 2017. Accessed July 22, 2023.

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Types of Malnutrition

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