What is the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM)?
The Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) is an 18-item questionnaire developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). It serves as the official metric for measuring food insecurity within US households and is administered annually by the Census Bureau as part of the nationally representative Current Population Survey (CPS). The survey is designed to capture the experiences of adults and, if present, children within the household over a reference period, typically the previous 12 months. The questions are based on experiences and behaviors known to signify food access problems due to resource constraints. For example, questions inquire about concerns regarding food running out, stretching food budgets, and cutting or skipping meals. Responses to these questions are then compiled to determine a household's food security status. Scores are used to categorize households into four levels of food security: high food security, marginal food security, low food security, and very low food security.
How the HFSSM Captures Food Insecurity Data
The HFSSM uses an experience-based approach, relying on self-reported behaviors and perceptions of food adequacy. The survey includes separate sections for adult experiences and, for households with children, a set of eight questions specifically for children's experiences. This distinction is crucial, as the module is designed to identify when children's diets or eating patterns are specifically affected by food insecurity, a more severe level of deprivation.
Typical questions included in the HFSSM cover:
- Anxiety about food: Asking if the household worried whether their food would run out before they had money to buy more.
- Insufficient quantity: Inquiring if the food they bought just did not last and they did not have money to get more.
- Reduced quality or variety: Asking if they could not afford to eat balanced meals.
- Skipping meals: Including questions about whether adults or children ever had to cut the size of their meals or skip meals.
- Severe food shortages: Asking if adults or children ever did not eat for a whole day because there was not enough money for food.
Based on the number and severity of affirmative responses, a household is assigned a food security score. For instance, a higher number of affirmative responses indicates a more severe level of food insecurity. The annual data derived from the HFSSM is published by the USDA's Economic Research Service (ERS) in the Household Food Security in the United States report. This report provides the official statistics on food security for the nation.
The Importance of the HFSSM and its Data
The HFSSM's data is vital for several reasons. It provides a consistent, national benchmark that allows policymakers, academics, and aid organizations to track trends over time. For instance, the data revealed a significant increase in food insecurity from 2021 to 2023, highlighting growing economic challenges for many Americans. This information helps to:
- Target and allocate resources to the most vulnerable communities.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC.
- Inform public policy debates surrounding social safety nets and poverty.
- Enable advocacy groups to highlight the scale of the problem.
While the HFSSM is the standard, it's not without its limitations, as recent events have brought into focus. Other tools, such as those developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) like the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES), are used internationally, but the HFSSM is tailored for the US context.
Comparison of Food Insecurity Measurement Tools
| Feature | USDA Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) | Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) | Household Income and Expenditure Surveys |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application | Primary tool for measuring food insecurity in the United States. | Used globally and promoted by the FAO for cross-country comparisons. | Measures food expenditures and income, often used for broader poverty analysis. |
| Methodology | Experience-based questionnaire covering adult and child experiences over a 12-month period. | Experience-based questionnaire using a shorter recall period (typically 1 or 12 months). | Relies on self-reported financial data, which may not capture the full picture of food access. |
| Focus | Measures behavioral and perceptual indicators of inadequate food access due to limited financial resources. | Measures the severity of food insecurity based on reported experiences with food access. | Indirectly measures food access by assessing financial capacity and expenditure patterns. |
| Data Level | Provides detailed household-level data, aggregated for national statistics. | Applicable at both household and individual levels, providing broader insights. | Primarily used at national or population subgroup levels. |
Challenges and Criticisms of Measurement
Recent controversies have highlighted the political and practical challenges of measuring food insecurity. In September 2025, it was reported that the USDA intended to discontinue the annual Household Food Security in the United States report, sparking concern among advocates and researchers. The move, attributed to the Trump administration, was criticized for potentially eliminating vital data needed for resource allocation and program evaluation. While the USDA cited redundancy and cost, critics argue that the data is crucial and that eliminating it would weaken the ability to monitor and address hunger effectively.
The Future of Food Insecurity Measurement
Regardless of recent changes to official reporting, the need for accurate and reliable measurement of food insecurity remains. Researchers are constantly refining methods, with new measures being developed to capture critical gaps related to nutrition security and household resilience. However, for now, the HFSSM remains the established, standardized instrument that has shaped public understanding and policy responses to food insecurity in the US for decades. Its continued use or a suitable replacement is essential for addressing this persistent public health issue.(https://www.centerfornutrition.org/food-security-measures)
Conclusion
The primary tool used to measure food insecurity in the United States is the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), developed and administered by the USDA. This module, which is part of the annual Current Population Survey, asks households about their experiences with food access over the previous year. The data collected from the HFSSM is fundamental for establishing the prevalence and severity of food insecurity, guiding public policy, and informing the work of anti-hunger organizations across the country. While debate continues regarding the future of federal reporting, the HFSSM's role as the foundational measurement tool has been undisputed for years.
