Food Insecurity, Homelessness & Poverty

During the Year ERS analyzed responses to questions in the food security survey about how frequently various food-insecure conditions occurred during the year, whether they occurred during the 30 days prior to the survey, and, if so, for how many days.

Findings include: About one-fourth of households with very low food security at any time during the year experienced it rarely or occasionally—in only 1 or 2 months of the year. For three-fourths, very low food security recurred in 3 or more months of the year. For about one-fourth of food-insecure households and one-third of those with very low food security, the occurrence was frequent or chronic. On average, households that were food insecure at some time throughout the year were food insecure in 7 months during the year. On average, households with very low food security at some time throughout the year experienced it in 7 months during the year.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Very Low Food Security, by Reference Period Prevalence rates of food insecurity and very low food security during the 30 days preceding the food security survey were considerably lower than the annual rates. Some households were food insecure only early in the year but not in the 30 days prior to the survey interview.

~ From USDA Frequency of Food Insecurity