Final answer:
Food insufficiency rates are likely higher among Hispanics and African Americans in the U.S. due to higher poverty rates within these groups, as food security is closely linked to economic status. The USDA uses poverty line guidelines advocating for a minimum income that is three times the cost of a nutritionally adequate diet, recognizing the significant portion of income that food requires. Therefore, groups with higher poverty rates face greater struggles with food insufficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding the food insufficiency rates among various ethnic and racial groups in the United States can provide insight into broader social and economic challenges. It's known that poverty significantly impacts food security, and therefore, looking at poverty rates can shed light on potential disparities in food insufficiency. According to LibreTexts, poverty rates for Hispanics and African Americans are notably higher than for non-Hispanic Caucasians. This discrepancy suggests that food insufficiency is likely more prevalent among these groups. The Pew Research Center highlighted that disparities in access to technology and information also exist along racial lines, which can exacerbate challenges in securing resources like food.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides guidelines for determining the poverty line, which is intrinsically linked to the ability to afford a nutritionally adequate diet. This measure, developed by Mollie Orshansky, states that the poverty line should be three times the amount needed to buy a nutritionally adequate diet, based on family size. As average families spend about a third of their income on food, those falling below the poverty line, which includes higher proportions of Hispanics and African Americans, are at greater risk for food insufficiency.