One in five Americans are unable to buy food for family in 2011

Posted: Monday February 27, 2012

According to data recently released from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) million struggled with hunger throughout the 2011 year. The survey asked "have there been times in the past twelve months when you did not have enough money to buy food that you or your family needed?" to which one in five [18.6%] Americans answered 'yes'

FRAC President Jim Weill attributes the high rates to "continuing high unemployment and underemployment, flat food stamp benefit allotments and inflated food prices which caused food stamp beneficiaries to lose more than six percent of their food purchasing power"

On February 28, 2012- 700 anti-hunger advocates will gather in Washington D.C. for the National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference on Capitol Hill in order to share data with lawmakers in an effort to demonstrate the broad support for the federal nutrition program and for a stronger role by government in ending hunger. The conference seeks to persuade officials not to support budget cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program i.e. food stamps) benefits that would put children and adults at right for poor nutrition.

Read the FRAC article HERE

Difficult Economic Times Increases Demand and Prices for Staple Grocery Items

Posted: Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A recent USDA report shows the prices for traditional food items such as ground beef, turkey, and eggs have increased a staggering 10%. Simultaneously, Cleveland families are struggling to cut expenses by purchasing cheaper fare and stretch their dollar due to high unemployment, medical and utility bills as well as increasing gas prices. The USDA's Economic Research Services reports that the reason staple grocery items went up so quickly was because of increasing demand caused by "high unemployment, low wages, and other economic pressures [that] have pushed many consumers to save money by eating at home". Unfortunately, given the circumstances we have seen a less drastic increase in demand for expensive grocery items such as steaks and fish relative to the rapid increase in demand for milk, apples and potatoes. Restaurants are also bearing the weight of increase in food costs and a sluggish consumer economy. Most restaurants are making cuts in other areas such as labor, overhead and other expenses to avoid "passing along their cost increase to consumers" thus making them less competitive.

Read the Full Article here: