Category: Food Studies Fall 2026

Introduction to Food Access and Food Security

Food insecurity is not contained to the most-populous 50 US cities. But, in 2024, the number of food insecure individuals across the country totaled just shy of their equivalent, roughly 48 million people or just over 13% of the population (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2026c). While by no means geographically confined, rates of food insecurity are higher than average in southern states, rural areas, and highly urbanized settings (USDA, 2026c). 

Figure 1 

Note. Figure 1 displays a color-coded map of the United States, visualizing comparative rates of food security in US states between 2022 and 2024 (USDA, 2025c). 

Defining Food Security 

The USDA defines food security as having “no problems, or anxiety about, consistently accessing adequate food” (2026d). Low food security, on the other hand, does not necessarily mean eating less, but often involves supplementing diets with low-cost, low-quality food. Very low food security applies when “eating patterns of one or more household members were disrupted and food intake was reduced” (USDA, 2026d). Food security is not static; a household’s status can shift as prices, income, or living situations change (Halpin, 2026).  

Figure 2

Note. Figure 2 depicts a chart reflecting the number of US households facing low food security (8.3%) and very low food security (5.4%) (USDA, 2025c). 

Food Access and Hunger 

We tend to closely associate food access with “hunger”. Yet, in 2006, the US Department of Agriculture ceased using the term “hunger”, instead opting for  “very low food security” (Allen, 2007; Fisher, 2017). The rationale: hunger, the physical sensation, is difficult to measure and that what surveys account for is, in the end, merely household food security (USDA, 2026d). The decision was met with disdain from food access advocates who feared the decision would cause “hunger disappear from the public agenda” (Allen, 2007, pg. 22).  

Some are more skeptical about hunger-focused language, however. Food-justice advocate, Andrew Fisher, points out in his 2017 book, Big Hunger, the shortcomings associated with focusing on “hunger” in isolation. A key issue with a hunger-centric approach is that the underlying social and economic problems are swept away. Thus, we fail to “to establish […] financial, human, or social capital needed to eliminate the problem on a more permanent basis” (Fisher, 2017, pg. 21). 

Responding to Food Insecurity 

One pathway for mitigating food insecurity is through government assistance. In 2025, the largest governmental nutrition assistance program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, served around 42.1 million low-income Americans (USDA, 2026e).

A second avenue which supplements government assistance in the alleviation of food insecurity is referred to as the “charitable food distribution network” (Fisher, 2017, pg. 24). In other words, organizations that work to reduce food insecurity through donations and private funding. 

Even with government assistance, there exists a need for secondary food assistance pathways. This is, in part, due to barriers in accessing government programs like SNAP, such as the strenuous paperwork and work requirements mandated to qualify (Wilkerson et al., 2018). The passage of One Big Beautiful Bill in July 2025 made requirements even stricter and barred asylum seekers, refugees, and select other migrant groups from receiving SNAP funding (Hodges and Jones, 2026, pp. 8-9).  

Food Assistance Close to Home

On a local scale, Project SHARE and Feed Carlisle, PA are examples of charitable organizations that help bridge the gap between governmental assistance and food security in Cumberland County. Established in 1984, Project SHARE has evolved from food pantry to advocacy organization and community education center (Project SHARE, n.d.). More recently, Feed Carlisle, PA has contributed to the expansion of Carlisle’s food access network by introducing the community fridge and pantry at the Bosler Memorial Library. The idea behind the community pantry is to provide a universal and barrier-free means of accessing food for those struggling to afford groceries, supported directly by donations from community members (Feed Carlisle, PA, n.d.).

Figure 3 

Note. Figure 3 shows the community fridge and pantry located in the Bosler Memorial Library in Carlisle, PA, supported by the Feed Carlisle, PA organization (Photo by author). 

The above-mentioned governmental and charitable interventions to food insecurity are examples of what Fisher calls hunger-focused solutions. What strategies or initiatives do you think could play a role in reducing food insecurity altogether? 

Returning to a localized perspective, what do you think your role as a community member should be in addressing challenges to food access?  Where do you see opportunities to improve food access in Carlisle or in your home community?

Citations

Food is part of everyday life, but it can also tell us a lot about people, communities, and cultures. The study of food can include topics such as agriculture, nutrition, traditions, economics, sustainability, and access to food. A strong blog post should go beyond simply summarizing information and should include your own thoughts and reactions to the topic.

For example, a student might discuss how their understanding of a particular food-related issue changed after a class discussion or reading. They could then connect that idea to an outside source. According to Author (2026), food choices can be influenced by factors such as cost, culture, availability, and personal preference. This is where you would include an APA-style in-text citation.

Adding Images

Figure 1. Example caption explaining what the image shows and why it relates to the topic. Image credit: Photographer/Organization.

Images should not simply decorate the post. They should help the reader understand or think about the topic in a different way.

You can also use headings to break up longer posts and make them easier to read online.

Connecting the Topic to Your Own Experience

A blog post should also include some personal reflection. For example:

Growing up, I never thought much about where the food in a grocery store came from. Learning more about food production made me realize how many people and processes are involved before a product ever reaches the shelf.

Notice that this example connects a personal observation to the larger topic rather than simply saying, “I thought the reading was interesting.”

Figure 2. A second image related to the topic. Image credit: Photographer/Organization.

Questions for Readers

End your post with questions that encourage classmates to respond with more than a simple yes or no.

1. What factors have the greatest influence on the foods you choose?
2. Has learning more about a food-related issue ever changed the way you eat or shop?
3. What part of our food system do you think deserves more attention?

References

Author, A. A. (2026). Title of article or webpage. Website or Publication Name. URL

Author, B. B. (2025). Title of article. Journal Name, 10(2), 20–30.

Organization Name. (2026). Title of webpage. URL