Record Inflation Pressures Clients Struggling to meet Basic Needs

Grocery prices in the US climbed 10% in March compared to last year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our country has not seen inflation jump this high in over 40 years and the impact of these record increases is being felt particularly hard by low-income individuals and families.

Many of GBFB’s food pantry partners are reporting that more people are seeking help now than at any other point during the pandemic.

The Food Hub in Revere is a good example, after reporting a 31% jump in the number of households served in March compared to February, they saw another jump in the first week of April.

“We went from serving 400 households every Wednesday to 500 in just one week,” said Megan Witter, Food Hub Co-Coordinator in the City of Revere.

That week Revere Food Hub, which has combined efforts with the First Congregational Church Food Pantry, ran out of highly sought-after perishable foods such as fresh produce, eggs, and some dairy items due to the unexpected spike in clients. “It was the worst feeling ever to not have a good selection of healthy food for the people that came late in the day.”

Preliminary results from a state-wide survey conducted by GBFB this past winter indicate that the number one reason given by new clients for seeking food assistance at local food pantries is the high price of groceries.

GBFB is also seeing food costs go up this year, an increase of 11% in the average price of the food that we are purchasing compared to last year.

It looks like these high prices are here to stay. GBFB needs your help more than ever to make sure everyone in Eastern Massachusetts has regular and sustainable access to nutritious food.