San Francisco is generally a wealthy city. But, according to the 2023 San Francisco Biennial Food Security Report, 67% of San Franciscans earning twice the Federal Poverty Level – more than 100,000 people – reported being food insecure. That means they do not know if they will have enough to eat due to a lack of money.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity fell as San Francisco received an influx of federal and state funding for food distribution. Now that these funds have dried-up, food insecurity is on the rise due to several factors.
Post-pandemic inflation has resulted in skyrocketing grocery prices in an already high-priced Bay Area, making it even harder for fixed-income seniors and lower-income families to afford food.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, food prices have increased by approximately 26% since 2020. Moreover, local governments facing historic budget deficits – like the City of San Francisco – have made further cuts to food distribution programs. Cuts to federal food assistance programs prescribed by President Donald Trump’s are also looming, meaning more people will need help from local organizations such as those distributing food through neighborhood food pantries…