The current official poverty measure was developed in the early 1960s and only a few minor changes have been implemented since it was first adopted in 1965. The poverty threshold represents the cost of a minimum food diet in 1963 multiplied by three to allow for expenditures on other goods and services. It is updated annually based on the consumer price index to account for inflation. Family resources are defined as before-tax money income.
People who live in a household affected by food insecurity do not always know where they will find their next meal. By contrast, food security for a household means access by all members at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life.
