ABSTRACT
At the household level, food security means that all family members have access at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Certain groups of Americans are more at risk of material hardship than others. These groups, which include low-income families, children, the elderly, and rural populations, are often the focus of the nation’s domestic food and nutrition assistance programs that promote food for an active, healthy life. People living in poverty are at risk of having inadequate resources for food and other necessities. Children account for about 40% of poor people. Although less than 10% of the elderly are poor, poverty rates for older women who live alone are much higher than the average for older people. Programs in the public and private sectors exist to assure the presence of a nutrition safety net to protect individuals and families from malnutrition, hunger, and food insecurity.
