Nutrition Security

Find resources to support nutrition security, which USDA defines as when "all Americans have consistent access to the safe, healthy, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being." Not only should food be reliably available to everyone, but food should be affordable, culturally relevant, and nutritious.

Nutrition security focuses on health equity by addressing structural racism and inequality, particularly among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, lower income populations, and rural and remote populations including Tribal communities and Insular areas.

Learn how USDA is advancing nutrition security through meaningful support, healthy food, collaborative action, and equitable systems.

Find USDA's MyPlate tips for making healthy eating affordable on a budget.

Browse nutrition security webinars from USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

View data, reports, articles, and interactive tools about nutrition security from USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS).

USDA Food and Nutrition Service Programs

Child Nutrition Programs

Discover the guidelines, regulations, and educational materials for the FNS programs that provide healthy food to children, including:

Food Distribution Programs

Learn about the FNS programs that strengthen the American nutrition safety net by distributing high quality, American-grown foods:

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

Learn how low-income seniors can receive coupons that can be exchanged for eligible foods at farmers markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Find information on a program that safeguards the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 by providing nutritious foods, information on healthy eating, and health care referrals.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Find information for applicants, recipients, and retailers about this safety net that provides eligible, low-income families with monthly benefits for purchasing food.

Other Nutrition Programs and Organizations

Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program

Find information about the Administration on Aging's nutrition services, including home-delivered meals, congregate meals, and nutrition education.

Meals on Wheels Association of America

Learn about and locate meal delivery and congregate meal service programs for seniors, funded by the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

USAID supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives in areas including Global Health, Maternal and Child Health, and Nutrition.

Feeding America

View resources from nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization with a network of more than 200 regional member food banks and food rescue programs.

Kids Can Make a Difference

Teach middle and high school students about the root causes of hunger and poverty and how they can take action.

World Food Programme

Learn about global solutions for providing emergency food aid and supporting economic and social development.

Share Our Strength

Discover programs to end hunger and poverty, including No Kid Hungry and Cooking Matters, for kids and low-income families.

WhyHunger

Connect individuals to affordable foods and promote community-based solutions that result in self-reliance, economic justice and food security.

Community Food Systems

Local Agriculture Market Program: USDA

View funding opportunities for AMS' Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP) and Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP).

Local Food Directories: National Farmers Market Directory

Search for a farmers market by zip code, product availability, payment method, and other criteria.

Defining Local Food: An Analysis of State Approaches and Challenges

Discover the different definitions for "local" foods, including examples from state laws.

Local and Regional Food Systems: Cornell

Find a collection of resources related to local and regional food systems.

The Food Trust

This non-profit promotes healthy lifestyles through improved food access and environments.

Community Supported Agriculture

View articles, statistics, and history about Community Supported Agriculture.

Woman unpacking a box of food into the refrigerator.

PubAg Research

See all 647 results

Search the NAL Collections

See all 758 results

Food Security

View NAL's collection of information, programs, and research about food security, which USDA's Economic Research Service defines as "access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life."

Featured Resources