A geospatial approach to understanding food insecurity at a regional scale

Food Insecurity affects approximately 2.3 billion people globally, with limited studies addressing the spatial nature of the crisis. This study developed a Food Insecurity Risk Index for Northern Ireland using 19 variables grouped into five weighted themes: affordability, awareness, access, availability, and health. The variables were normalised and analysed using Geographic Information Systems, with Anselin Local Moran’s I applied to identify spatial clusters of risk. Findings revealed great variability across urban and rural regions of greater risk; however, larger towns and cities showed lower vulnerability overall. The spatial analysis illustrated clear patterns linked to food insecurity, identifying clusters that can benefit from targeted support. The index offers a replicable, high-resolution tool for visualising risk across small geographic units. This enables policy makers and stakeholders to allocate resources more effectively and plan tailored interventions. As a scalable model, it has potential utility to address food insecurity across global regions.