Sarah is a 30-year-old mother of two young children, ages 3 and 5. Her husband was recently disabled in a car accident and has been unable to work for 6 months. Sarah works part-time in her children’s preschool and her husband receives a monthly check for his disability. Medical expenses have wiped out the family’s savings and monthly expenses often exceed the couple’s income. Sarah tells her close friend that she is unable to provide balanced meals for her family because she often runs out of some food, such as milk and fresh produce, before payday. Her children receive a healthy lunch and snack at preschool and a couple of times in the past month Sarah and her husband have had to skimp on their meals at home to make sure the children were fed adequately. Sarah is worried that their limited resources may be affecting the nutritional health of her family.

1. Based on the USDA food security classifications, how would you categorize the family?a. Food insufficient b. Food secure c. Very low food security d. Food insecure e. Low food security
2. Sarah's family is among what percentage of U.S. households that has low or very low food security?a. 8.8 b. 5.7 c. 46.5 d. 85.5 e. 14.5
3. Sarah notices that the healthier food options tend to be more expensive. Is she correct in this observation?a. Yes; foods are expensive including poor-quality items. b. Yes; healthier foods typically have fewer calories and more nutrients, but cost more. c. No; prices vary, so in some parts of the country healthier foods are cheaper. d. There is no way to determine unless we went shopping with Sarah. e. No; healthier foods typically have more nutrients and cost less.
4. What diet-related condition is associated with food insecurity, but not hunger, that Sarah should be aware of?a. Vitamin D deficiency b. Osteoporosis c. Inadequate fat intake d. Obesity e. Low energy intake
5. What food assistance program does Sarah likely qualify for, having children in preschool?a. SNAP b. WIC c. Meals on Wheels d. Feeding America e. National School Lunch
6. What food assistance program can Sarah take part in once her children start elementary school?a. SNAP b. WIC c. Meals on Wheels d. Feeding America e. National School Lunch
7. All of the following are suggestions to stretch food dollars when Sarah gets her paycheck except:a. Look for day-old bread and bakery products. b. Choose cooked cereals over ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. c. Buy produce that is in season. d. Avoid store brands. e. Center meals around grains and legumes.
8. Sarah's friend reminds her there is a local food pantry and a local soup kitchen. What is the difference between the two?a. The soup kitchen is run by the local health department; the food pantry is run by volunteers. b. The food pantry is run by the local health department; the soup kitchen is run by volunteers. c. The food pantry provides groceries; the soup kitchen provides hot meals. d. The food pantry provides hot meals; the soup kitchen provides groceries. e. The food pantry provide produce gleaned from fields; the soup kitchen provides perishables.