Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life
(FAO 1996)
Members of food-insecure households may:
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Eat less than they feel they should because of insufficient resources
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Have to skip meals
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Be malnourished
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Be unable to afford nutritionally balanced meals
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Worry their food will run out before they can afford to buy more
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Suffer from micro- and/or macro-nutrient deficiencies
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Suffer from micro- and/or macro-nutrient excesses
Source: Knobloch & Charoenmuang 2017
Some Causes of Food Insecurity
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Poverty
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Soaring food prices
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Inefficient food safety systems
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Inadequate food storage
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Food wastage
Food deserts are defined by the USDA as parts of the country with low levels of access to fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthful whole foods. These are usually found in impoverished areas. This is largely due to a lack of grocery stores, farmers’ markets, and healthy food providers.