When someone is food insecure, it means that they don't have regular, affordable access to enough nutritiously-dense food. Food insecurity lies on a spectrum; you don't have to be starving, or even hungry to be considered food insecure. If you simply cannot afford, or if you do not have access to healthy , nutritious foods, then you are still considered food insecure. If you can only afford fast food, you are considered food insecure. If you lower the quantity, quality, variety, or desirability of the foods you eat due to lack of access or affordability, then you are considered food insecure.