People shop the shelves at the Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry just outside of St. Louis last week. The nonprofit has seen rising need as grocery prices soar and thousands of Missourians lose federal food assistance. (Photo courtesy of Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry)
In response to escalating food prices and increased demand, the Ritenour Co-Care Food Pantry near St. Louis has shifted from traditional proteins like ground beef to more affordable options such as ground chicken and hot dogs. According to Executive Director Angela Gabel, the pantry’s budget of $180,000 for this year may not suffice given the rising costs.
There has been a notable uptick in the number of families seeking assistance; recently, the pantry registered seven new families in one morning. Gabel mentioned that individuals are increasingly traveling long distances to access multiple food pantries monthly.
As grocery prices rise, many vulnerable Americans are also losing access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Over 4 million Americans lost SNAP benefits between February 2025 and February 2026, with numbers expected to grow following the passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation requires states to impose stricter work requirements, leading to further reductions in benefits.
Gina Plata-Nino, SNAP director at the Food Research & Action Center, highlighted the impact on children, older adults, and people with disabilities, who rely heavily on SNAP. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates the average SNAP benefit this year is $188 per month, or $6.17 per day. “A majority of them are making less than $1,100 a month,” she said, emphasizing the difficult choices faced by many.
Rising need for food
While the federal Household Food Security report was terminated last year, other indicators show increasing food insecurity. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported a surge in hunger levels, surpassing pandemic peaks. Many households have been forced to use savings, accept food donations, or struggle to feed their children.
Democrats and anti-hunger advocates are urging Congress to rescind SNAP cuts during the federal farm bill reauthorization discussions. Though the House passed a version preserving the cuts, 23 state attorneys general have appealed to the Senate to reverse this decision.
In Nebraska, state lawmakers proposed legislation to request federal waivers from new restrictions, aiming to protect benefits for vulnerable groups. However, the need for a federal response remains critical, as highlighted by Megan Hamann of Nebraska Appleseed.
California lawmakers, like Assemblymember Alex Lee, are working to supplement federal aid by proposing $100 million for a state program that doubles SNAP benefits for fresh produce. With nearly one-third of Californian families with young children struggling with food insecurity, these efforts aim to address the pressing need for support.
States face the challenge of prioritizing basic needs amidst limited resources. Abigail Stewart-Kahn from Stanford University Center on Early Childhood emphasized the long-term impact of increased stress on families, warning of potential consequences for child development and societal well-being.
This story was originally produced by Stateline, which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network which includes Daily Montanan, and is supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity.
