Food insecurity remains common

September 13, 2024

Source: USDA, September, 2024 LINK

The US Department of Agriculture published research findings that 47.4 million lived in food insecure households in 2023. More than one in eight households (13.7%) had food insecurity and more than one in 20 (5.1%) had very low food security. Those with low food insecurity report reduced quality, variety or desirability of diet, but not frank hunger. Those with very low food security report disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake. Food insecurity was more common in households with children, and 841,000 children (1.2%) lived in households with very low food security.

Food insecurity was clearly associated with income. Food insecurity was four times as high in households earning <185% of the federal poverty level (FPL) compared to those with earnings at or above 185% of the FPL. The FPL was $30,000 for a family of four in 2023, so 185% of FPL for a family of four was $55,500.

Many households had food insecurity only intermittently, although three-quarters had food insecurity for more than three months during the calendar year. Over one-third (42%) of households with food insecurity received no governmental assistance. Over half (55%) of households with food insecurity have one adult in the home working full time.

A post earlier this summer included data from the 2022 survey; food insecurity increased in 2023.

Implications for employers:

-       Since a third of US households have income under $50,000, many employers have some employees who live in households with food insecurity.

-       In addition to paying a living wage, employers can encourage their lower wage workers to enroll in nutrition programs for which they are eligible and destigmatize these programs by including them in orientation or notices around the workplace.

-       Many employers offer nutritious food on-site. Some employers allow workers to take home healthy meals after work for low or no cost.

-       Medical costs are a major cause of financial insecurity which can lead to food insecurity, so employers can offer plans for low wage workers with affordable premiums and out of pocket costs. Over one-quarter of employers (27%) use salary banding to offer lower health insurance premiums to low wage workers.

-       Managers and supervisors can refer workers to Employee Assistance Programs which can help them enroll in programs that can help.

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