USDA defines...

Food security as: “…The ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods… and assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (that is, without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, or other coping strategies)”

Food insecurity as:  “…The limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways.”

USDA measurement or levels of food security/food insecurity:

1.    High food security – Households that have no problems, or anxiety about, consistently accessing adequate food.
2.    Marginal food security – Households that have problems at times, or anxiety about, accessing adequate food, but the quality, variety, and quantity of their food intake were not substantially reduced.
3.    Low food security – Households that may have reduced the quality, variety, and desirability of their diets, but the quantity of food intake and normal eating patterns were not substantially disrupted.
4.    Very low food security – Periodically, eating patterns of one or more household members are disrupted and food intake reduced because the household lacked money and other resources for food.

Question: What is/are the impact(s) of food insecurity on the individual, family, and community?

Question: Why would the USDA not measure hunger?

Governmental Nutritional Assistance Porgrams:

• Supplimental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Women, Infants, and Children yournger than five (WIC)
• National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• School Breakfast Program (SBP)
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Non-governmental programs: Community food banks, shelters, soup kitchens, etc...

Question: What is/are the eligibility requirement(s) for each of these programs?

Question: What is/are/ the barrier(s) to file for assistance programs?

Question: Where is there a higher prevelance of food insecurity and why?

In general, a food desert is defined by low access to a healthy food retail outlet and low access is defined as more than 1 mile from a supermarket or large grocery store in urban areas and as more than 10 miles from a supermarket or large grocery store in rural areas

Food Desert Locator: USDA Locator

Question: What factors other than distance can affect access?

What is the relationship between limited access and health related issues?

• Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (e.g., hypertension) higher in food deserts
• Studies indicate 
• Beverage consumption not solid foods as largest contributor for increased caloric intake, weight gain, and higher BMIs
• Food preferences were correlated to the proximity of specific types of food sources (fast-food, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc…)
• Food preference (what we desire to eat) versus food choice (what we can eat)?
• Complexity of the social context (i.e. social and cultural considerations)?

Factors affecting food supply:

• Environmental (geological and meterological conditions)
• Technological (scientific and agricultural innovations/limitations)
• Political (regulatory policy)
• Financial (economic implications)

Question: What will the future look like?