Hawaiʻi Food Banks Ready To Address Pandemic-Related Challenges And Community Need
Hawaii Public Radio | By Casey Harlow
Hawaiʻi's food banks served unprecedented needs after the coronavirus pandemic began last year. On Hawaiʻi Island, the Food Basket is helping between 40,000 and 50,000 people a month. In 2019, it was assisting roughly 14,000 people.
In order to meet the increased need caused by the pandemic, food banks across the state relied on purchasing more food from the continental US. With that, comes the ongoing issues and challenges of supply chains and rising food costs.
Food Basket executive director Kristin Frost Albrecht says rising food costs impacted this year's Thanksgiving planning.
"Last year, we purchased 6,000 turkeys. They were 12-14 pound turkeys, and they averaged about $12 each," she said. "This year, when we went to go buy turkeys, the average cost for that same turkey was $27. So we did not end up purchasing turkeys, and have purchased chickens instead — which are still costly, but they were only $8 each." - Kristin Frost Albrecht
While it will still take time for households to financially recover from the pandemic, the food banks say they will continue to find a way to assist those in need this holiday season and in the following months — with the help of the community.