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Enquirer: Food banks struggle with added costs, less donations

UC economist says anxiety about money, uneven financial recovery have contributed to strain

headshot of Kyle Shaner By Kyle Shaner
2 minute read March 5, 2024

Food banks across the United States are facing challenges, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported, which a University of Cincinnati economist said is in part a result of higher food prices and uncertainty about the future.

The Enquirer reported that the Freestore Foodbank, which distributes food through its food pantries along with neighborhood food pantries and congregate eating locations in the Cincinnati region, is facing a budget crunch. Donations have dropped, and food prices have increased in recent years, resulting in a $3.5 million deficit to end this fiscal year.

While the economy has improved since the COVID-19 pandemic, people have remained anxious about spending, said Dipanjan Chatterjee, an adjunct instructor in the Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ economics department, a Kautz-Uible Economics Institute fellow and a vice president at Forrester, a research and advisory company.

“The average person has higher income from their occupations and greater wealth from their assets,” Chatterjee said, but added, “Consumer sentiment is wallowing in the depths of despair.”

Chatterjee also said the economic recovery didn’t benefit everyone equally. Those whose finances didn’t recover are more likely to need food assistance.

See more from the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Featured image at top: A person prepares bags of food at a food pantry. Photo/Aaron Doucett via Unsplash

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