We are all painfully aware of the effects of inflation. Whether it’s at the gas pump or the retail stores, rising prices are making it tough on a lot of us.

And when we go to the grocery store we see the cart of necessities that used to cost of $50 now costs us $75 – or more. What we don’t see is how that affects those who are on the fine line of food insecurity.

Anyone working a job paying minimum wage – or even the $15 an hour target the government seeks employers to pay – knows that buying enough food for a family is hard and higher prices make it a more stressful endeavor. These days it has forced families to choose between feeding their children or paying their mortgage or rent on time.

In this news article, the writer noted that:

“Some Arlington County families struggled to meet their food needs in late 2021 as inflation began to rise, opting to reduce the nutritional quality of the food they eat, reducing their food intake overall, or opting for lower-cost alternatives, all of which points to deepening food insecurity. Without additional support, families may become less food secure as inflationary pressures limit their ability to fully meet their food needs.”

So basically inflation has forced families to dumb down their food offerings, to reduce the amount available to eat or choose lower-cost alternatives. This just begins the vicious circle of poor food habits which then leads to health and other issues.

Additionally, when inflation hits, it also affects the ability of those who normally buy canned and other goods to donate to food banks and organizations like Fiorenza’s Food For Friends (F4). That’s why it’s so important for everyone to support F4 whether in donations or food drives.

Before we know it, the colder weather will be here and food shortages will only get worse. We urge everyone to think outside the box in an effort to keep food cupboards full and organizations like F4 running so that until inflation eases people – especially children – don’t go hungry.

Read the article here.

Article By Andy Hachadorian Former editor of the Daily Local News in West Chester and F4 Blog Contributor