VINTON, Va. (WDBJ) – More families across the region are unsure where they will get their next meal, according to Feeding Southwest Virginia.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports food costs are up about 3 cents more per dollar compared to last year. Since 2020, food prices have risen by almost 35%.
New data from Feeding Southwest Virginia shows 42% of Virginia households are food insecure, or about 2 out of every 5 families.
Families turn to food pantries
Jimmy and Sylvia Bise were two of the first visitors at a new food pantry in Vinton. As they picked out their items they talked about the recipes they would whip up. In front of a bin of tomatoes, Sylvia pulled one from the bottom saying how much she and her husband like fried green tomatoes…