Syracuse, N.Y. (NCC News) — U.S. food banks have been dealing with food demand increases since the pandemic began in 2020, but now they face a new obstacle: food supply chain shortages.
At St. Lucy’s Food Pantry in Syracuse, individuals are granted specific amounts of trips each month. Since the pandemic, the pantry started allowing more trips. For example, instead of coming once a month, they now can double that, and come twice a month.
St. Lucy’s Pantry director Murray Gould said donations have risen since COVID began.
“Because they can’t go out, so they have been very generous,” Gould said.
The lead volunteer at the pantry, Bill Connor, said there are many areas experiencing shortages, but there is one that trumps all.
“There’ll be times where there is a shortage of milk, there is a shortage of eggs, there is a shortage of chicken,” Connor said. “Meats would be the number one thing.”
In order to combat some of these meat shortages in the food pantry, Gould said they have received lots of support from local supermarkets.
“We’re fortunate to have the support of Wegmans, Aldi’s, Green Hills, Trader Joe’s, and Red Lobster that provide us with different products on different days of the week,” Gould said.
Since there has been an increase in donations, the pantry has found a new way to provide more food.
“We are able to purchase in the open market because we have had great financial support from the community and from organizations, Gould said. “We have been blessed.”
As supply chain issues persist, food banks will continue to adapt until these shortages are resolved.
WEINBERG: U.S. food banks have already been dealing with food demand increases since 2020, but now they face a new obstacle: food supply chain shortages.
At the St. Lucy’s Food Pantry in Syracuse, medicated and food stamped individuals are granted extra trips. Instead of coming once a month, they can now double down and come twice a month.
St. Lucy’s Pantry Director, Murray Gould says since the pandemic, donations have been high.
MURRAY GOULD: “Because they can’t go out, so they have been very generous.” (4)
WEINBERG: The Lead Volunteer at the pantry, Bill Connor, says there are many areas experiencing shortages, but one that trumps all.
BILL CONNOR: “There’ll be times where there is a shortage of milk, there is a shortage of eggs, there is a shortage of chicken, and meats would be the number one thing.”
WEINBERG STAND UP: “In order to combat some of these meat shortages in the food pantry, Gould says they have been receiving much support from businesses like Wegmans and Red Lobster, providing extra meat and fish for the customers.”
MURRAY GOULD: “We’re fortunate to have the support of Wegmans, Aldi’s, Green Hills, Trader Joe’s, and Red Lobster that provide us with different products on different days of the week.”
WEINBERG: Gould says the increase in donations allows food to be brought in another way.
MURRAY GOULD: “We are able to purchase in the open market because we have had great financial support from the community and from organizations; so, we have been blessed.” (9)
WEINBERG: Despite supply issues, food banks across the country continue to run smoothly with the public’s support. Josh Weinberg, NCC News.
