The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 report on October 25, 2023, providing an overview of American households’ ability to access sufficient food last year. The report found that an impressive 87.2 percent of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2022, meaning they had consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living.
The report was based on data collected from the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS), which is conducted annually by the U.S. Census Bureau. The survey asked households about their access to food, the types of food they had access to, and how often they experienced food insecurity.
The report found that food insecurity was lower in 2022 than it has been in the past. The USDA estimates that 12.2 percent of households experienced food insecurity in 2022, down from 13.7 percent in 2021. This is the lowest rate since the survey began in 1995.
The report also found that households with children were more likely to experience food insecurity than households without children. The rate of food insecurity among households with children was 16.6 percent, compared to 8.4 percent among households without children.
In addition, the report found that households with incomes below the poverty line were more likely to experience food insecurity than households with higher incomes. The rate of food insecurity among households with incomes below the poverty line was 25.9 percent, compared to 5.7 percent among households with incomes at or above the poverty line.
The report also found that households in rural areas were more likely to experience food insecurity than households in urban areas. The rate of food insecurity among households in rural areas was 16.1 percent, compared to 11.3 percent among households in urban areas.
Overall, the report found that the majority of American households had access to sufficient food in 2022. This is a positive sign that the efforts of the USDA and other organizations to reduce food insecurity in the United States are having a positive impact.
The report also highlighted the importance of programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). These programs provide assistance to households that are struggling to access sufficient food.
The USDA is committed to continuing to work to reduce food insecurity in the United States. The agency is currently working on initiatives to increase access to healthy foods, reduce food waste, and improve nutrition education.
The USDA’s Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 report provides an important overview of the state of food insecurity in the United States. The report’s findings are encouraging, and they demonstrate the progress that has been made in reducing food insecurity in the United States. However, there is still more work to be done to ensure that all Americans have access to sufficient, nutritious food.
