News Briefs

Hunger a fact of life for growing numbers of Americans

May 8, 2008 3:52 PM

With food prices and fuel costs rising, the United States and other developed nations may see hunger and cold, not just poverty and wage inequality, becoming commonplace. Some stores are even restricting bulk rice purchases as the price of grain reaches record highs.

The canary in the coal mine could be the sharp increase in new enrollments at direct-service charities. One food bank estimates the number of people seeking its help rose 25 percent in one year. With many from families where at least one member has a job, it’s not just the homeless looking for help.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates 28 million Americans are on food stamps, the highest number since the program’s inception under Lyndon Johnson’s 1960s- era War on Poverty.

The Financial Times, April 25