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How many Americans can't afford to pay for food?

Last Updated: March 05, 2008

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About 12.6 million people (11 percent of all U.S. households) were food insecure at some point in 2005, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). A food insecure household would have difficulty meeting its basic food needs because it lacked money or other resources for food. A food secure household has consistent access to enough food for active, healthy living.

Information on food insecurity, hunger, and poverty is available from the USDA Economic Research Service at http://www.ers.usda.gov/.

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