WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Families in Palm Beach County are struggling to put food on the table because of inflation. Local nonprofits are ramping up their efforts to help, but it's also now becoming increasingly difficult for them to supply the food.
Farm Share CEO Stephen Shelley said their food supply is lower than it was pre-pandemic, yet the need is significantly higher.
"It's very difficult for food banks to provide the food that is in such high demand," Shelley said. "And additional supply chain issues have really effected private donations from other donors, plus the cost, the inflationary cost to get that food to us or for us to get that food from them has also affected our bottom line."
Right now, Shelley said, they are supplying up to 8 million pounds of food a month to South Florida families.
Although much of their produce is donated, Farm Share is responsible for transporting their food to South Florida and, with the rising cost of gas, Shelley said, it's becoming significantly more expensive.
He said they have two options right now — find more funding or cut services.
"A lot of these are hardworking families who are being effected by the high gas prices, rent prices, food prices and other household staples, they're finding that their paychecks just don't go far enough each and every month," Shelley said.
Farm Share's next food distribution will take place Friday at the Palm Beach Outlets. The event starts at 8 a.m. until supplies last.
To donate to Farm Share, click here.
