Research has shown that food insecurity (i.e., having limited or unstable access to food) is linked to poorer
health outcomes,
chronic disease, and
overall financial hardship. What is food insecurity? A food insecure household, as defined by the
USDA Economic Research Service, is one that, at times during the year, was “uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food.”
Further, a household is designated as ‘low food security’ by the USDA if they reported reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet with little or no indication of reduced food intake; the USDA designates a household as ‘very low food security’ if they reported multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.
The estimates on State Health Compare represent the percentage of households that have experienced food insecurity (i.e., low or very low food security).
Food Insecurity by State: Breakdowns and Data Source
State Health Compare presents state-level rates of the percentage of households that have experienced food insecurity (i.e. low or very low food security) based on findings from the Current Population Survey - Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS).
Note: In September 2025, the USDA announced that the Food Security Supplement and associated Food Security Report would be discontinued. While we will no longer be able to update this measure, previous data years will remain available on State Health Compare.
Two breakdowns are available for this measure: Race/Ethnicity and Presence of Child in Household.
