About Food Insecurity

WHAT IS FOOD INSECURITY AND WHO DOES IT IMPACT

If you were to look it up in the dictionary, food insecurity is - the condition of not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one's basic needs.

Food insecurity does not discriminate and is in every community regardless of where you live. It could be the senior that you see at the grocery store, a kid in your child's class or sports team, your next door neighbor, or someone you work with.

Food insecurity can stem from something as simple as a life event or medical emergency. It could also stem from complex issues such as poverty, unemployment, or low income, lack of affordable housing, or healthcare.

There is also a difference between food insecurity and hunger. Those words may seem the same, but it may surprise you to learn that hunger and food insecurity are not mutually exclusive. The USDA points out that "It is important to know that hunger and food insecurity are closely related, but distinct, concepts. Hunger refers to a personal, physical sensation of discomfort, while food insecurity refers to a lack of available financial resources for food at the level of the household." Hunger is the feeling someone has when they don't have food. Food insecurity is the consistent lack of food to have a healthy life because of your economic status.

The Urbandale Food Pantry strives to meet families where they are at and help fight hunger + food insecurity in Central Iowa.