Identifying and responding to food insecurity: A quick guide for practitioners

What to look for

Signs in children:

• Missing lunch/snacks
• Appearing hungry or lethargic
• Expressing worry about food
• Poor concentration
• Withdrawing from peers or activities, feeling embarrassed about not having food.

Signs in families:

• Anxiety and worry about food access
• Limited food and limited dietary variety
• Avoiding social activities
• Frequent and long-term visits to food relief organisations

What to ask

If time allows, you might want to use the USDA Household Food Security Survey Module.

Where time is limited, the following introduction and screening questions may be more suitable:

We ask everyone these two questions about your household’s access to food. We know that many families experience challenges with food from time to time. Your answers can help us understand whether any support might be helpful.

1. Have you ever worried that food will run out before you are able to buy more?

Often true

Sometimes true

Never true

Don’t know/refused

2. Have you run out of food and not had enough money to buy more?

Often true

Sometimes true

Never true

Don’t know/refused

Responding with ‘Often’ or ‘Sometimes’ to either question is a positive screen for food insecurity.

What to do

Immediate actions:

• Be empathetic
• Avoid stigmatising and judgemental language
• Listen to child and parent experiences
• Respect privacy and dignity
• Normalise the experience (e.g. ‘Many people go through this’) and offer support without judgement.
• Provide referral options that support safety and agency (e.g. ask families if they prefer written information, a referral to a support service, or help contacting a school meal program).

Referrals and supports:

• Community-based programs in their area, such as co-operatives, social enterprises or discounted food outlets.
• Food relief organisations
• Nutrition and cooking programs
• Financial counselling
• Housing and/or utility support