Fact Check: One in seven Americans report inconsistent access to food in 2023.

Fact Check: "One in seven Americans report inconsistent access to food in 2023."

What We Know

In 2023, approximately 13.5% of U.S. households were reported as food insecure at some point during the year, which translates to about 18 million households (USDA, 2023) (Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics). This figure indicates that these households experienced uncertainty about having enough food to meet their needs due to insufficient resources.

Additionally, a report from the New York Times states that roughly one in seven Americans reported inconsistent access to food in 2023, corroborating the USDA's findings (Senate Republicans Reprise Push to Pay for Tax Cuts). This aligns with the broader understanding of food insecurity, which encompasses both low and very low food security.

Analysis

The claim that "one in seven Americans report inconsistent access to food in 2023" is supported by credible data from the USDA, which indicates that 13.5% of households faced food insecurity. When considering the average household size in the U.S., this percentage translates to a significant number of individuals affected by food insecurity. Given that the average U.S. household consists of about 2.5 people, this percentage suggests that approximately 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households in 2023 (Food Security in the U.S. - Key Statistics & Graphics).

The New York Times article, while not a primary source of statistical data, is a reputable news outlet that reports on governmental and societal issues. It cites the USDA's statistics, which adds to its reliability (Senate Republicans Reprise Push to Pay for Tax Cuts). The alignment of these two sources strengthens the validity of the claim.

In contrast, other sources, such as Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap, report a slightly higher food insecurity rate of 14.3% in 2023 (Map the Meal Gap - Feeding America). This discrepancy may arise from different methodologies in measuring food insecurity, but it still supports the overarching narrative that a significant portion of the population experiences inconsistent access to food.

Conclusion

The claim that "one in seven Americans report inconsistent access to food in 2023" is True. The evidence from the USDA and corroborated by reputable news sources indicates that approximately 13.5% of households faced food insecurity, which aligns closely with the claim. The slight variations in reported percentages do not detract from the overall conclusion that a substantial number of Americans are experiencing food insecurity.

Fact Check: One in seven Americans report inconsistent access to food in 2023.