Food Insecurity among Households with Children: The Role of the State Economic and Policy Context

This article explores the correlates of geographic and temporal variation in food insecurity from 2002 to 2014, using data from the Current Population Survey’s Food Security Supplements. We focus on the relationship between state economic and policy factors and household and child food security outcomes, using both an annual and a 30-day food security measure. At the policy level, we consider state differences in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program accessibility, School Breakfast Program availability, state Earned Income Tax Credit generosity, maximum unemployment insurance duration, and prevailing minimum wage. We find substantial evidence that the state economic and policy contexts play a role and that the link between policy characteristics and food security outcomes varies in plausible ways among households with differing levels of economic vulnerability.