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 Owyhee in 2020:
- the food insecure population made up 11 percent of the population and numbered 1,260.
- food insecure children made up 15 percent of all children under age 18 and numbered 460.
In Owyhee in 2010:
- the food insecure population made up 15 percent of the population and numbered 1,690.
- food insecure children made up 25 percent of all children under age 18 and numbered 830.
Between 2010 and 2020, the food insecure population in Owyhee decreased by 25 percent and the number of food insecure children decreased by 19 percent.