Although Australia reduced its poverty rate over the last few years — declining from 16.9% in 2017 to 13.2% in 2019 — the percentage of Australians experiencing hunger has not decreased. The survey explored the prevalence of food insecurity in Australia as well as the experiences of those living with food insecurity. Large-scale, structural solutions are required to address the underlying causes of food insecurity; however, smaller-scale service and practice responses are likely to always be required. By: McCrindle Food insecurity is a growing social crisis in Australia despite being one of the world’s wealthiest countries. There is a pressing need for quantitative evidence that consistently encompasses all aspects of food waste in Australia. Research on food insecurity in Australia has typically relied on a single-item measure and finds that approximately 5% of the population experiences food insecurity. According to the definition of food security, a large proportion of Australia’s population appears to be food insecure. Lucy says mortgage stress—particularly in Sydney and Melbourne—could be contributing to the number of high earners struggling with food insecurity. This practice paper and its companion practice guide describe the prevalence, experience and impact of food insecurity in Australia, identifying the populations most at risk and exploring various responses. According to FeedingAmerica, food insecurity impacts around 40 million Americans and 12 million American children. Food Insecurity in Australia. Now experiencing food insecurity had not gone hungry before the pandemic. Australia wastes $8 billion worth of food per year. Food insecurity exists ‘whenever the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable food in socially acceptable ways is limited or uncertain’ (Radimer and Radimer 2002). Three in ten Australians. This research also finds that demographic characteristics such as household composition and marital status affect levels of food insecurity, independent of income level. 1 in 8 Americans Is Affected by Food Insecurity. This is because food insecurity, rather than insufficient funds, lies at the root of hunger in Australia. Young people are being hardest hit by the impact of Covid-19. Australia has traditionally viewed food insecurity as a problem synonymous with poorer countries – it is glossed over in the 2013 National Food Plan White Paper – which is why our own food security dilemma remains a hidden problem. For a proportion of people, however, accessing enough food to eat can be a daily or weekly struggle. Earning a lot of money doesn’t make you immune to food insecurity, with the study finding 8.6% of people earning $180,000 or more had very low food security. The depths of the hardship that many are experiencing is reflected in the changing face of food security in Australia. 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