Food Security in the United States

Overview Key Statistics and Graphics Frequency of Food Insecurity Measuring Household Food Security History of the Food Security Measurement Project Definitions of Hunger and Food Security Household Survey Tools Community Food Security Recommended Readings Recommended Data Related Links

Household Food Security in the United States in 2010

Overview

• ERS plays a leading role in Federal research on food security—access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life—in U.S. households and communities; its impact on the well-being of children, adults, families, and communities; and its relationship to public policies, public assistance programs, and the economy.

• In 2010, 85.5 percent of U.S. households were food secure throughout the entire year, and 14.5 percent of households were food insecure at least some time during that year. The difference in the percentage of food insecure households from the 2009 estimate (14.7 percent) was not statistically significant.

• In 2010, 5.4 percent of households experienced food insecurity in the more severe range, described as very low food security, down from 5.7 percent in 2009.

• ERS provides data access and technical support to social science scholars to facilitate their research on food security and food security measurement in U.S. households and communities.

Highlights

• Food Security of SNAP Recipients Improved Following the 2009 Stimulus Package
  
  
• More Americans Relied on Food Assistance During Recession



• Food Insecurity in Households with Children: Prevalence, Severity, and Household Characteristics

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