In 2011, 14.9 percent of all U.S. households were food insecure,
meaning that they had difficulty at some time during the year
providing enough food for all their members due to lack of
resources. About 41 percent of households with incomes below the
Federal poverty line were food insecure. Rates of food insecurity
were substantially higher than the national average for
single-parent households, as well as Black and Hispanic households.
Food insecurity was more common in large cities and rural areas
than in suburban areas and other outlying areas around large
cities. Rates of very low food security--a more severe form
of food insecurity--were higher for these demographic groups as
well. The statistics for this chart are from Household Food
Security in the United States in 2011, ERR-141, released
on September 5, 2012.