Food insecurity in Maryland has quadrupled since December, study shows

A recent study conducted by the Maryland Food Bank is showing astronomical rises in need throughout the state for families struggling with food insecurity. The study has led to big budgeting changes as the food bank gears up for a busy year on the heels of national inflation, with the pantry expecting to buy more than double the amount of food than it has in years past. “We would buy about 12 million pounds of food, which is still a lot, and pay 45 cents per pound,” Maryland Food Bank Executive Vice President Meg Kimmel said. “Next year in our budget we have budgeted for 25 million pounds of food, so double the amount at double the cost–88 cents per pound versus 45 cents pre-pandemic level.”