Glossary of terms

Hunger - The uneasy of painful sensation caused by a lack of food. The recurrent and involuntary lack of access to food. (USDA)

Food Insecurity- Limited or uncertain access to nutritious, safe foods necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle; households that experience food insecurity have reduced quality or variety of meals and may have irregular food intake. (USDA / Life Research Office and Food Security Learning Center)

Food Security - Access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food security includes at a minimum: 1) ready availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and 2) an assured ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. (USDA and Food Security Learning Center)

Social capital - refers to a stock of resources, networks, support, organizations, etc., that people can draw upon to solve problems. If one thinks of 'human capital' as an individual's achievements and skills that help him/her achieve greater social mobility in the job market, for instance, social capital represents the resources within a family, neighborhood, community, etc., that can help individuals improve their own welfare, or the welfare of their communities. See some examples at the Civic Dictionary.