Food insecurity has significant consequences for the population's health, educational outcomes, income, and workforce participation. According to the USDA, a household is considered to be food insecure if, at any time during the previous year, there was a lack of access to sufficient food for a healthy and active life for every household member due to a lack of resources.
In Madison in 2020:
- the food insecure population made up 11 percent of the population and numbered 4,280.
- food insecure children made up 10 percent of all children under age 18 and numbered 1,100.
In Madison in 2010:
- the food insecure population made up 19 percent of the population and numbered 6,990.
- food insecure children made up 21 percent of all children under age 18 and numbered 1,940.
Between 2010 and 2020, the food insecure population in Madison decreased by 39 percent and the number of food insecure children increased by 2 percent.