The US Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest Consumer Price Index data this month, which showed that inflation rose 8.5 percent for the year ended in March – a level not seen since 1981.

In addition to this, a survey by Feeding America – a hunger relief charity – shows that over 80 percent of food banks report seeing the demand for food assistance increase or stay the same; a 20 percent increase from the previous survey.

A report by Feeding America claims that every aspect of food bank operations – including purchasing food, transporting donated food, energy for cold storage, fuel, wages, and even vehicle maintenance – has seen significant hikes due to inflation. Food banks are purchasing nearly as much food as they did in 2021, but are now paying 40 percent more for those purchases.

Feeding America projects that the food bank network will experience a 20 percent decrease in manufacturing donations, with 55 percent of its food banks reporting their overall food donations have fallen over the last six months. Without additional funding and federal commodities, food banks cannot be expected to meet this crisis and give their communities the support they need, the report warns.