USDA Annual Report
Each year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) measures the extent and severity of food insecurity in households through an nationally representative survey and releases these statistics in a report called Household Food Security in the United States.
Statistics are based on a measure of food security derived from responses to questions about conditions and behaviors known to characterize households having difficulty meeting basic food needs. The questions ask whether the condition occurred at any time during the past 12 months and specifies a lack of money or other resources to get food as the reason.
The USDA's formal definition of food insecurity is the lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members; limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.
Food insecure households are classified further as having either low food security or very low food security.
Low Food Security (formerly food insecure without hunger) is defined as reported multiple indications of food access problems but typically few indications of reduced food intake.
Very Low Food Security (formerly food insecure with hunger) is defined as reported multiple indications of reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns due to inadequate resources for food.