Children are hiding their hunger to avoid burdening their parents, as food insecurity rises in Australia

Single mum Tiffany says it was hard to afford food even before the cost of living crisis. (ABC News: Tom Hancock)

Tiffany Simpson says she can not remember the last time she ate three meals in one day.

"I'll, you know, have something small for dinner, or something like that," said the 47-year-old single mother, who lives in the New South Wales Southern Highlands.