Background: Food insecurity (lacking or uncertain access to adequate food by socially acceptable means) is both an outcome and a determinant of other negative outcomes. Older women experience food insecurity more frequently than other individuals. Vulnerable women experience chronic health problems, poor nutritional status and functional decline at rates disproportionate to the general population. Being unable to afford, obtain, or use nutritious food may pose a particular problem for older women, who are recognized as especially at risk for effects of poor nutrition but have received inadequate research attention regarding their risk of experiencing food access problems. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine factors and outcomes associated with food insecurity in community-living older women, and to explore potential strategies to enhance food security and nutritional status among older women. Methods: A literature search was conducted using PubMed and the terms elderly, older women, food security, nutrition, and poverty as keywords. The search was limited to peer-reviewed publications, both books and journal articles, published between 1995 and the present. Only studies with human participants were included. Results: Consequences of food insecurity are negative and addressing this complex problem is challenging. Current strategies include food assistance through food pantries, food banks, and other venues, the Food Stamp program (FSP), and the Elderly Nutrition Program. Unfortunately, current assistance programs do not solve food and nutrition issues among older women. Underfunded assistance is limited in capacity to help those in need. Older women are often eligible for, but not participants in, FSP. Several reasons are cited for nonparticipation among eligible elderly clients: uninformed about program existence, perceived ineligibility or low benefit, lack of access, embarrassment, and dislike of relying on government. Discussion: Enhancing food security includes reaching out to older women in efforts to increase participation in effective food distribution programs. Making sure older women are informed regarding existing programs and working with providers of programs to develop accessible and convenient places for program delivery are part of enhancing utilization. Addressing barriers to participation is necessary. Health promotion strategies for food security among older women should emphasize physical access to nutritious foods and maintaining dignity in food assistance participation. Providing nutrition education is an important part of reducing food insecurity. Women can receive education regarding purchasing nutrient-dense foods and ingredients. Health professionals need to focus on becoming effective advocates for policy reforms to lessen economic constraints on households of older women.Keyword(s): aging/older adult issues, health promotion, nutrition