Government failed to reduce ‘food insecurity’ despite spending billions more

Despite a $6 billion increase in food assistance spending, there was no reduction in the number of American households that are "food insecure," according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The USDA says its food programs "increase food security." However, the agency's spending through the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) increased by $6.4 billion from 2011 to 2012 with no statistically significant change in the level of food insecurity.

"Food and nutrition assistance programs of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) increase food security by providing low-income households access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education," the USDA said in a report released this week.

By the agency's own measure the change in food insecurity from 2011 to 2012 was near zero.

According to the USDA, 14.5 percent of households faced food insecurity at least sometime during the year. "The change in food insecurity overall (from 14.9 percent in 2011) was not statistically significant," they said.

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