Food Security
Food security measures the percentage of people who have had access to sufficient food. Consistent access to safe and nutritious food is fundamental to human existence. It contributes to positive short and long-term health outcomes and is essential to children’s development.
Over the last 5 years, there have been fluctuations in the food security rate in Washington state, a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, among other factors.
Food security rates varied across counties in 2022. In Ferry County, only 85% of households were food secure, whereas 93% of King and Snohomish County households were food secure.
Incidence of food security also varies across age groups. In 2022, children below the age of 18 and adults under age 65 experienced the lowest rate of food security at 89%. This means that around 1 in 10 children and adults were food insecure. Seniors (65+) also struggle with food security although to a lesser degree at 96% in 2022.
The Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS) is the source of national and State-level statistics on food insecurity used in USDA’s annual reports on household food security.