Increasing the Resilience of the Food Systems
In Islamic States in Face of Future Food Crises
58
and peaked at 14.9% in 2011 but remained above pre-recession levels. There has since been a
continued decline in food insecurity, reaching 11.8% of all households in 2017 .204
Food insecurity has disproportionately impacted low-income families, with children living in
5,697 households (one third) of the 15,018 total food-insecure households.205 Among the most
vulnerable of households are single mothers with children, representing 20% of all food -
insecure households. Food insecurity is highest in cities, representing 31% of food insecure
households.206 A representative study by a university in St. Louis found that Hispanics and
African Americans were disproportionately affected by food insecurity, representing 27% and
23% of affected households, respectively.207 Despite the lower prevalence of food insecurity
among White, non-Hispanic-headed households, these households make up 50% of food-
insecure households.
Figure 17: U.S. Food-Insecure Households
Source: USDA
While the U.S. food system is considered one of themost advanced in theworld, the country has
experienced ongoing food insecurity. Certain recent shocks have increased the level of food
security:
 Economic shocks: The sudden decline in household income due to the economic crisis
of 2008-11 has caused a sharp increase in the number of food-insecure households.
204 Matthew P. Rabbitt, Alisha Coleman-Jensen, and Christian A. Gregory. (2017, September). Understanding the Prevalence,
Severity, and Distribution of Food Insecurity in the United States. Retrieved fro
205 Oliveira, Victor.(2019, April). The Food Assistance Landscape: FY 2018 Annual Report. Retrieved from
206 Matthew P. Rabbitt, Alisha Coleman-Jensen, and Christian A. Gregory. (2017, September). Understanding the Prevalence,
Severity, and Distribution of Food Insecurity in the United States. Retrieved fro
207 Heflin, Colleen; Huang, Jin; Nam, Yunju; Sherraden, Michael. (2012, October 9). Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Food
Insufficiency: Evidence from a Statewide Probability Sample ofWhite, African American, American Indian, and Hispanic
Infants. Center for Social Development, Washington University in St. Louis.