In 2023, a significant portion of households in the United States faced challenges in accessing adequate food, highlighting a critical issue known as food insecurity. This condition affects millions of Americans and understanding its prevalence is crucial for addressing this societal problem. According to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Research Service (ERS), a concerning number of individuals and families experienced food insecurity throughout the year.
Key Findings on Food Security in US Households
The USDA’s report, “Household Food Security in the United States in 2023,” reveals that while the majority of households remained food secure, a notable percentage struggled to access enough food. Here’s a breakdown of the key statistics:
- Overall Food Security Status: A substantial 86.5 percent of U.S. households, totaling 114.6 million, were classified as food secure throughout 2023. These households had consistent access to sufficient food for active and healthy living for all members. However, this figure represents a statistically significant decrease from 87.2 percent in 2022, indicating a slight weakening in food security nationwide.
Alt text: Pie chart showing that in 2023, 86.5% of US households were food secure and 13.5% were food insecure, illustrating the prevalence of food security in the United States.
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Prevalence of Food Insecurity: Conversely, 13.5 percent of U.S. households, amounting to 18.0 million, experienced food insecurity at some point during 2023. This means these households faced uncertainty or inability to acquire enough food due to limited financial and other resources. This prevalence marks a statistically significant increase from 12.8 percent in 2022, signaling a worsening food insecurity situation.
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Low Food Security: Within food-insecure households, 8.4 percent (11.2 million households) were categorized as having low food security. These households managed to avoid significant disruptions in eating patterns and reduced food intake by employing coping mechanisms. These strategies include consuming less varied diets, utilizing federal food assistance programs, or relying on community food pantries. The prevalence of low food security also rose statistically significantly from 7.7 percent in 2022.
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Very Low Food Security: The most severe form of food insecurity, very low food security, affected 5.1 percent of U.S. households (6.8 million households). In these households, the eating patterns of one or more members were disrupted, and food intake was reduced at times due to insufficient resources for food. Notably, the prevalence of very low food security remained unchanged from 2022.
Food Security Status of Households with Children
Food insecurity also significantly impacts households with children under 18 years of age. In 2023:
- 82.1 percent of households with children (29.7 million) were food secure.
- A substantial 17.9 percent (6.5 million) of households with children experienced food insecurity.
- In a significant portion of these food-insecure households with children, specifically 9.0 percent (3.3 million), only adults were food insecure, indicating a protective buffer for children.
- However, in 8.9 percent of households with children (3.2 million), both children and adults faced food insecurity.
- While children are generally shielded from severe food intake reductions, approximately 1.0 percent of households with children (374,000 households) reported instances where at least one child experienced reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns throughout the year.
Alt text: Breakdown of food security in US households with children in 2023, showing categories for food secure, food insecure (adults only), and food insecure (adults and children).
People Living in Food-Insecure Households
Translating household statistics into individual numbers reveals the extensive reach of food insecurity:
- In 2023, a staggering 47.4 million people resided in food-insecure households.
- Among these, 12.2 million adults lived in households facing very low food security, enduring the most severe conditions of food deprivation.
- Furthermore, 7.2 million children lived in food-insecure households where children themselves were also food insecure, highlighting the vulnerability of younger populations.
- Tragically, 841,000 children, representing 1.2 percent of the nation’s children, lived in households where at least one child experienced very low food security, facing disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.
Disparities in Food Insecurity by Household Characteristics
The prevalence of food insecurity is not uniform across all populations and varies significantly based on household characteristics. The USDA data shows statistically higher rates of food insecurity in 2023 compared to 2022 for several demographic groups. While no groups experienced statistically significant decreases, the disparities highlight vulnerable segments of the population.
Alt text: Bar chart comparing food insecurity prevalence in 2022 and 2023 across different US household characteristics, such as households with children, single-parent households, and households below the poverty line.
Trends in Food Insecurity Rates
Analyzing trends over time provides crucial context. The 2023 food insecurity rate of 13.5 percent is statistically significantly higher than the 12.8 percent in 2022. It’s also higher than rates observed from 2015 through 2022, but lower than the levels from 2010 through 2014, indicating a fluctuating pattern over the last decade.
- After a period of decline in food insecurity from 2018 to 2020, 2023 marks a reversal of this positive trend.
- The rate in 2023 is significantly above the pre-recession level of 2007 (11.1 percent), suggesting a concerning setback in food security progress.
The rate of very low food security in 2023 (5.1 percent) remained statistically unchanged from 2022 but is significantly higher than the annual prevalence from 2017 through 2021.
Alt text: Line graph illustrating the trends in food insecurity and very low food security rates in US households from 2001 to 2023, showing fluctuations and recent increases.
State-Level Food Insecurity
Food insecurity prevalence varies considerably across different states. Data averaged over 2021–2023 reveals a range from 7.4 percent in New Hampshire to 18.9 percent in Arkansas. Very low food security rates during this period ranged from 3.2 percent in several states to 7.0 percent in South Carolina, highlighting geographical disparities in food access across the US.
Alt text: US map displaying state-level food insecurity prevalence averaged over 2021-2023, with color gradients indicating varying levels of food insecurity across different states.
Conclusion
The USDA’s 2023 food security data paints a concerning picture of increased food insecurity in the United States. Millions of individuals and families are struggling to access adequate food, with the most vulnerable populations facing the greatest challenges. Understanding the scope and trends of food insecurity is a critical step towards developing effective strategies and policies to ensure that all Americans have consistent access to enough food for a healthy life. The increase from 2022 to 2023 warrants attention and action to address the root causes and mitigate the impact of food insecurity across the nation.
Source: Household Food Security in the United States in 2023, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
