By Caelin Miltko
@datainindiana
Indiana’s food insecurity rates from 2013 to 2015 were higher than the national average, according to an analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture Data.
The USDA rated 14.8 percent of Indiana households as having low or very low food security, in comparison to 13.7 percent nationally.
6.1 percent of Indiana households were classified as having very low food security, in comparison to 5.4 percent nationally.
The USDA defines low food security as “reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet. Little or no indication of reduced food intake.” Very low food security is defined as “reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.”
Since 2014, when Indianapolis was rated worst in the nation for food deserts, various efforts have begun to decrease food insecurity in the state. A 2016 state bill was proposed to counteract food deserts specifically.
Food insecurity rates vary widely across the country. North Dakota has the lowest food insecurity rate at 8.5 percent, while Missouri has the highest at 20.8 percent (with 7.9 percent ranked as very low food security).
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