SANTI, California – The persistent epidemic, rising food prices and supply chain issues are uniting to add to the urgency of the 2021 Patch Holiday Food Drive, which runs through December 31 in Santi, our network of more than 1,000 sites.
When the COVID-19 epidemic last year shook the lives of Americans and threw them into a sea of uncertainty, Patch is partnering with Feeding America because we knew some of the approximately 13.1 million able-bodied adults who were asking for free food or food for the first time included people here in Santi.
The situation has eased for some as Americans return to work, but food insecurity remains a major problem. Feeding America estimates that 42 million Americans, including 13 million children, will be affected food insecurity in 2021.
According to Feeding America, before the epidemic, 9.2 percent of people in the San Diego area were considered food insecure. The continuing economic effects of the epidemic have increased that number to 11.4 percent, who may be on the verge of starvation.
If you are hungry, you can get food San Diego Food Bank. Call 1-866-350-FOOD (3663).
Higher prices in the grocery store make it worse for people who have difficulty feeding themselves and their families. Officials at the country’s 200 food banks, which supply 60,000 local food stores and food programs across the country, pay: two or three times more than they did before the epidemic, as supply chain bottlenecks, lower inventory, and labor shortages increase food costs.
Brian Nichols, vice president of sales at Transnational Foods Inc., which supplies food to more than 100 Feeding America-affiliated food banks, told the Associated Press that supply chain problems may be easing, but overseas food supplies are higher. costs will be reduced. stick around for a while.
“An average container coming from Asia to COVID will cost about $ 4,000,” Nichols said. “Today that same container is about 18 thousand dollars.
Peanut butter is a key ingredient that hungry families rely on because it has a relatively high nutritional value, it is available at a price they can afford, or rather it was.
Lynn Telford, chief executive of the Care and Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado in Colorado Springs, told the AP that the price of a peanut butter truck rose 80 percent from June 2019 to $ 51,000 in August. Making cheese is 19 percent more expensive than it was a year ago, և 5 percent more expensive than making it three months ago.
Feeding America CEO Katie Fitzgerald told the AP she was not sure how long food banks would be able to absorb the higher costs.
“What happens when food prices rise, food insecurity for those who feel it, just gets worse,” Fitzgerald said.
This means that people who are accustomed to buying a family-sized tuna jar may have to settle for smaller cans or substitute some other staple to extend their food dollar. It’s like adding an “insult to insult” that revolves around the uncertainty caused by the epidemic, Fitzgerald said.
The Associated Press has released a report.
How can you help?
Until December 31, we encourage readers to invest in tax deductions for Feeding America on Patch Holiday Food Drive. Every $ 1 donated to the organization buys 10 meals.
Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that by 2021, more than 32 million Americans, including 13 million children, will not have enough nutritious food to eat. This is a good social patch project; Feeding America receives 100% of the donations. Find out how you can donate to your community or find a food pantry near you.