Forgot Password?
OR
Sign UpLogin With Facebook
Sign UpLogin With Google

Free Food Insecurity Survey

50+ Expert Crafted Food Insecurity Survey Questions

Surveys > Healthcare

Measuring food insecurity with targeted food insecurity survey questions helps you identify who's at risk of hunger and allocate resources where they're needed most. A food insecurity survey is a concise set of questions designed to assess individuals' access to sufficient, nutritious meals - crucial for shaping effective support programs and policies. Download our free template preloaded with example questions or customize your own survey in our online form builder.

In the past 12 months, how often did you worry about having enough food for yourself or your household?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always
In the past 12 months, how often did you or other adults in your household cut or skip meals because there was not enough money for food?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Always
Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: I have had to rely on food assistance programs (e.g., food banks, SNAP) to meet my food needs.
1
2
3
4
5
Strongly disagreeStrongly agree
What is your most common strategy for coping with limited access to food?
Reducing meal portions
Skipping meals
Borrowing food or money
Using food assistance programs
Other
Have you experienced any negative impacts on your health due to lack of sufficient food?
Yes
No
Please describe any additional challenges you face related to accessing adequate food.
What is your age range?
Under 18
18-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65 or older
What is your gender?
Male
Female
Non-binary
Prefer not to say
Other
Which of the following best describes your annual household income?
Less than $20,000
$20,000 to $39,999
$40,000 to $59,999
$60,000 to $79,999
$80,000 or more
{"name":"In the past 12 months, how often did you worry about having enough food for yourself or your household?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"In the past 12 months, how often did you worry about having enough food for yourself or your household?, In the past 12 months, how often did you or other adults in your household cut or skip meals because there was not enough money for food?, Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: I have had to rely on food assistance programs (e.g., food banks, SNAP) to meet my food needs.","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}
Copy/Edit Survey Send to Recipients Make a Survey w/AI Form Builder Survey Tips More Questions FAQ

Trusted by 5000+ Brands

Logos of Poll Maker Customers

Top Secrets to Crafting a Powerful Food Insecurity Survey

A food insecurity survey matters at every step when you aim to measure hunger and gaps in access. It uncovers the true scale of need, from skipped meals to local food deserts. It also shows how factors like income, location, and household size shape experiences. According to Wikipedia, well-designed surveys use tools such as the Household Hunger Scale and Dietary Diversity Scale to capture access, affordability, and coping strategies.

Start by setting clear objectives: are you mapping geographic hotspots or tracking shifts over time? Defining your audience - families, seniors, or college students - sharpens your sampling strategy and question list. For example, a community center in Zimbabwe mixed phone surveys with face-to-face interviews, reducing bias and improving coverage (see Real-time small area estimation of food security in Zimbabwe). Don't forget to embed a poll for instant feedback on key issues.

Craft straightforward questions that respect privacy and invite honesty. Use items like "In the past 30 days, how often did you worry that food would run out before you had money to buy more?" and "What main barriers prevent you from accessing fresh produce?" to zero in on real stress points. Avoid double-barreled phrasing or technical terms - simple language boosts response rates. Tie your instrument to a proven template, for example our Food Security Survey guide.

Once you collect responses, visualize your data to spot trends fast. A youth pantry used early results to shift pickup hours, cutting no-show rates by 30%. Sharing clear charts and recommendations with stakeholders earns trust and secures funding. By following these best practices, you gain actionable insights to steer resources where they matter most and build a more food-secure community.

Finally, pilot test your survey with a small sample to catch confusing items and timing issues. Use feedback to refine question order, clarify wording, and adjust your outreach plan. Pilot runs also flag technical glitches if you're using digital forms. A smooth, tested survey means higher completion rates and stronger data.

3D voxel art depicting online surveys on food insecurity, set against a dark blue background.
3D voxel art depicting online surveys on a dark blue background, representing food insecurity surveys.

5 Must-Know Tips for an Efficient Food Insecurity Survey

Launching a food insecurity survey can feel overwhelming if you overlook common pitfalls. From ambiguous wording to poor sampling, small mistakes skew results and delay support. According to the USDA, about 10% of households report food insecurity each year (Food insecurity and hunger in the United States). Follow these five tips to streamline your process and gather reliable insights quickly.

1. Write crystal-clear, single-focus questions. Avoid combining two ideas; instead ask "How often did you skip meals due to lack of food?" rather than "How often did you skip meals or go hungry?" Precise survey questions about food insecurity reduce misinterpretation and boost accuracy.

2. Segment your audience by age, income level, or location. Different groups experience food insecurity in unique ways, so tailor your questions - or add follow-ups - to capture those differences. Research like Application of Clustering Analysis for Investigation of Food Accessibility shows how grouping can reveal underserved pockets. Without proper segmentation, you risk overlooking high-need areas and misallocating resources.

3. Position sensitive questions later in the survey once you've built trust. Start with easy items like "What types of groceries do you buy most often?" before diving into personal financial stress. Also mix multiple-choice with open fields to balance speed and depth. A well-crafted blend encourages completion and rich stories.

4. Always pilot your survey with a small, diverse group and refine based on feedback. This step catches confusing phrasing and timing issues before a full launch. Pilot runs also help you test digital platforms and fix glitches. Skipping this phase often leads to low response rates and poor-quality data.

5. Plan reporting formats and action steps in advance. Decide which charts, tables, or heat maps you need, then align your question types accordingly. For technical guides, consult resources such as Food security for measurement tools. And remember, sharing clear insights with community partners (Food and Nutrition Survey) drives faster interventions and funding.

General Food Insecurity Questions

This section explores broad experiences of limited or uncertain access to food. The insights gathered will guide community support efforts and inform Food Survey planning.

  1. In the past 12 months, were you ever worried that your food would run out before you could afford more?

    This question measures anxiety about food supplies. It helps identify initial signs of food insecurity.

  2. In the past 12 months, did you or a household member reduce the size of meals due to a lack of money for food?

    This question assesses coping behaviors in response to scarcity. It highlights the severity of resource constraints.

  3. How often did you skip meals to save money for other essentials?

    This question identifies frequency of meal skipping under financial stress. It reveals trade-offs people make to manage limited funds.

  4. Have you ever eaten less than you felt you should because there wasn't enough money for food?

    This question gauges under-eating linked to budget limitations. It indicates possible nutrient deficiencies.

  5. In the past month, how often did you consume unbalanced meals due to cost constraints?

    This question measures the quality of diet under budget pressures. It highlights areas for nutritional support.

  6. Did any adult in your household ever cut or skip meals so that children could eat?

    This question assesses intra-household food allocation. It uncovers protective behaviors toward vulnerable members.

  7. Have you ever gone hungry but not eaten because you couldn't afford food?

    This question examines extreme food deprivation experiences. It signals urgent need for assistance.

  8. In the past year, did you lose weight because you couldn't afford enough to eat?

    This question links financial hardship to physical health outcomes. It identifies serious consequences of food insecurity.

  9. Have any children in your household skipped meals due to lack of money for food?

    This question focuses on child hunger within households. It helps evaluate risk to minors specifically.

  10. How often did you rely on food assistance programs to meet your basic needs?

    This question measures dependence on external support. It shows how frequently aid services are used.

Household Food Security Questions

This category delves into household-level patterns of food access and stability to gauge severity across all members. Responses will inform improvements in community and policy-level Food Security Survey efforts.

  1. Over the last 12 months, how often did your household run out of staple foods before having money to refill supplies?

    This question assesses frequency of essential shortages. It reveals chronic supply gaps.

  2. How many days in the past month did at least one household member skip meals due to financial constraints?

    This question quantifies recent meal skipping. It highlights current risk levels.

  3. Do you have reliable access to fresh fruits and vegetables each week?

    This question evaluates availability of key nutrients. It underscores potential dietary quality issues.

  4. How often did your household purchase lower-cost, less nutritious food to stretch your budget?

    This question measures trade-offs between cost and nutrition. It identifies risk of poor diet quality.

  5. Has your household experienced unintentional weight loss due to insufficient food?

    This question links food access to health outcomes. It signals acute insecurity requiring intervention.

  6. Do you maintain food reserves or stockpiles at home for emergencies?

    This question gauges preparedness against shortages. It informs resilience strategies.

  7. How confident are you that your household can meet its food needs over the next month?

    This confidence rating reveals perceived stability. It assists in planning short-term support.

  8. Has your household borrowed food or money to buy food from friends or relatives?

    This question examines social coping mechanisms. It highlights informal support networks.

  9. Are children in your household ever served smaller portions than adults to ensure everyone eats?

    This question checks for protective feeding practices. It indicates prioritization within the family.

  10. How frequently does someone in your household go a whole day without eating because of lack of resources?

    This question captures extreme deprivation events. It shows urgency for relief measures.

Coping Strategies for Food Insecurity Questions

This category examines strategies individuals adopt when facing food scarcity. Understanding these behaviors supports targeted interventions through the Food Assessment Survey .

  1. How often do you purchase discounted or near-expiry food items to save money?

    This question identifies cost-saving shopping habits. It highlights reliance on lower-quality options.

  2. Do you rely on borrowing or sharing meals with friends or family members?

    This question explores social sharing as a coping mechanism. It reveals communal support practices.

  3. How frequently do you choose cheaper, less nutritious food to stretch your budget?

    This question measures compromise on nutrition for affordability. It points to diet quality challenges.

  4. Have you attended any free cooking workshops or classes to maximize available ingredients?

    This question evaluates engagement in skill-building. It shows proactive coping through education.

  5. Do you grow your own fruits or vegetables to supplement your food supply?

    This question assesses self-reliance strategies. It uncovers home gardening's role in food security.

  6. How often do you use mobile food pantries or meal delivery services?

    This question measures reliance on outreach programs. It informs service accessibility evaluations.

  7. Do you plan meals around weekly grocery sales or coupons?

    This question examines budgeting and planning behaviors. It highlights financial resource management.

  8. Have you sold personal items to raise money for food purchases?

    This question captures extreme coping tactics. It indicates high vulnerability levels.

  9. How often do you utilize government benefits such as food stamps?

    This question assesses enrollment and usage of public assistance. It shows dependency on formal programs.

  10. Do you skip meals intentionally to conserve food for other household members?

    This question reveals protective behaviors under scarcity. It indicates intra-household prioritization.

Access and Affordability Food Insecurity Questions

This section focuses on barriers related to distance, cost, and availability of food items. The outcomes will guide enhancements in the Food and Nutrition Survey network.

  1. What percentage of your monthly income is spent on food?

    This question quantifies financial burden of food costs. It helps assess affordability challenges.

  2. What is the distance to the nearest grocery store offering fresh produce from your home?

    This question evaluates geographic access to healthy options. It identifies potential food deserts.

  3. Do you have reliable transportation to reach major food retailers?

    This question measures access to mobility resources. It highlights transit-related barriers.

  4. How often do you find desired food items sold out at your local store?

    This question captures availability fluctuations. It points to supply chain or stocking issues.

  5. Are prices of healthy foods, such as fresh produce, affordable within your budget?

    This question assesses pricing barriers to nutritious choices. It identifies cost hurdles for diet quality.

  6. Do you experience significant price changes for basic staples from week to week?

    This question measures market volatility effects. It reveals budgeting uncertainties.

  7. Have you encountered long wait times or lines at food assistance sites?

    This question evaluates service accessibility issues. It informs capacity planning for aid programs.

  8. Are store operating hours limiting your ability to purchase food when needed?

    This question examines temporal barriers to access. It highlights the need for extended or flexible hours.

  9. How often does the lack of nearby food retailers affect your meal planning?

    This question links physical access to daily routines. It underscores the impact of retail deserts.

  10. Do you feel safe traveling to buy food in your neighborhood, especially at night?

    This question assesses personal security concerns. It identifies safety as a factor in food access.

Food Quality and Nutrition Questions

This category assesses the nutritional adequacy and overall satisfaction with food quality. Findings will support improvements in the Food Quality Survey framework.

  1. How often do you consume meals that meet your dietary needs for protein, fruits, and vegetables?

    This question evaluates balanced diet frequency. It tracks adherence to nutritional guidelines.

  2. Do you feel the food you eat is fresh and nutritious most of the time?

    This question measures perceived food quality. It indicates satisfaction with produce and perishable items.

  3. How satisfied are you with the variety of foods available to you?

    This question captures diversity of diet options. It shows potential monotony or restrictions in choice.

  4. Are you able to afford high-quality proteins and dairy products when needed?

    This question assesses affordability of nutrient-rich items. It highlights gaps in protein access.

  5. Do you often find that foods you purchase are past peak freshness or spoiled?

    This question identifies spoilage and waste issues. It points to storage or supply chain problems.

  6. How frequently do you prepare balanced meals at home versus eating convenience foods?

    This question measures home cooking practices. It informs interventions for skill-building.

  7. Do you have access to clear nutritional information when selecting food items?

    This question checks for label comprehension and transparency. It underscores informed decision-making.

  8. Have concerns about food safety ever prevented you from buying certain products?

    This question explores mistrust or risk perceptions. It highlights safety as a quality dimension.

  9. How often do you skip fruits or vegetables due to cost or availability concerns?

    This question measures barriers to healthy produce intake. It indicates areas for improved access.

  10. Overall, how satisfied are you with your current dietary intake in terms of nutrition and taste?

    This question captures holistic satisfaction with diet. It helps evaluate quality of life related to food.

FAQ

Related Survey Questions

Form Builder (FREE)