Food Banks Need Our Support to Combat Inflation
While inflation is finally cooling a little bit, nothing seems to stop the soaring food prices. Prices of margarine and butter in December 2022 increased 44% and 31%, respectively, from a year ago. Egg prices had even gone up by 60% (Brooks, 2023)
Inflation is just one factor driving up the food prices
Inflation and the recent bird flu outbreak might have just created a perfect storm to jack up egg prices. Plus, it also happened that more states began transitioning to cage-free eggs around the same time. Effective in 2023, all eggs sold in California must be laid by hens living in cage-free or better conditions. Likewise, a similar bill is now under review by the Senate Agriculture Committee in New York. Leave the war in Ukraine aside; prices for eggs and other essential food items (e.g., baked goods) are unlikely to drop soon.
Food banks are struggling
As a result of soaring food prices, food banks only afford to buy fewer items with the funds they raise (Yang, 2022). According to CAPI (Center for Asian and Pacific Islanders) USA, a non-profit organization serving immigrants and refugees, they used to pay $50,000 per year for 400 lbs. of food. They are now paying $100,000 for about the same amount of food this year.
Meanwhile, food banks have found it more challenging to get adequate donations to meet the increasing demands. Some food banks can only afford to give each family in need a half gallon of milk instead a whole gallon. Additionally, when every organization is dealing with the labor shortage challenge, some food banks do not have enough staff or sufficient food on the shelf, forcing them to operate in a four-day workweek.
Food banks need help
Our local food banks need our help big time! Besides monetary donations, peanut butter, canned food, pasta, and rice are among the popular items needed. Are you ready to help?
Linchi Kwok
Professor at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, Cal Poly Pomona
CAL Poly Pomona
