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 Gem in 2020:
- the food insecure population made up 12 percent of the population and numbered 2,160.
- food insecure children made up 17 percent of all children under age 18 and numbered 680.
In Gem in 2010:
- the food insecure population made up 18 percent of the population and numbered 3,030.
- food insecure children made up 24 percent of all children under age 18 and numbered 970.
Between 2010 and 2020, the food insecure population in Gem decreased by 29 percent and the number of food insecure children decreased by 21 percent.