Report shows disparities in rural food security and diet satisfaction

Though Americans of all stripes worry about food availability and prices, rural residents are less food secure and less likely to be able to get the food they want, according to the monthly Consumer Food Insights Report from Purdue University's Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability, Elizabeth Gardner reports. Current economic issues such as inflation and supply-chain shortages have enhanced this divide, according to Purdue agricultural economics professor Jayson Lusk, who leads the center. The formula shortage is too new to be reflected in this survey, but is no doubt a factor. 

"Key results include:

• 60% of consumers are concerned about the impact of bird flu on food prices
• Food spending is 9% higher than in January, but food demand remains price insensitive
• 14% of all households and 23% of rural households are facing food insecurity
• 71% of people in urban and 61% in rural areas give their diet a high rating
• A Sustainable Food Purchasing (SFP) Index of 69/100."