From Farm Share
A new survey released by Farm Share, the state’s leading food nonprofit and largest foodbank, revealed that rising food prices are driving dramatic changes in Floridians’ food consumption habits. Families have been reducing the amount of food they consume and making less healthy choices due to inflation.
The survey found that more than half of all Floridians have modified their eating habits in some way due to food inflation, with low-income families disproportionately affected. The impact is particularly pronounced among families with children under 18 (77%), Black (69%) and Hispanic residents (66%), and individuals under the age of 45 (66%).
Of special concern, nearly a third of parents (29%) report that they've had to cut back on their purchases of fresh produce, and 21% admit to consuming more processed or fast foods. In a state of over 4 million children, that equates to about 840,000 Florida kids consuming more processed or fast foods due to food inflation this year.
"This survey shows that Floridians are struggling under the weight of rising food prices to feed their families and make healthy food choices,” said Stephen Shelley, Farm Share CEO. “To help address this issue, Farm Share continues to distribute more than 8 million pounds of healthy and nutritious food monthly throughout the state of Florida through direct community food distribution events and our nearly 2,000 partner agencies.”
Among the various ways Floridians are adjusting their dietary choices, the survey highlights these trends:
-
32% of respondents are buying or consuming less food.
-
22% are reducing their consumption of meat.
-
20% are changing their grocery shopping locations.
-
18% are purchasing fewer quantities of fresh produce.
-
12% are opting for more processed or fast food options.
To help offset the effects of rising food prices on Florida's communities, Farm Share is partnering with Florida farmers to provide more produce and other healthy food options to Floridians in need. From 2021-2022, Farm Share recovered more than 104 million pounds of food and held over 21,000 community events.
As the state continues to grapple with food price inflation, initiatives like those undertaken by Farm Share are essential in maintaining the health and well-being of Florida's diverse population. The survey findings underscore the urgency of addressing this issue and the importance of community-driven solutions.
