Eggs are displayed in a grocery store in Carmel, Ind., Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

One of New York state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s latest reports is enough to cause plenty of aches — to the wallet and stomach. Last week, his office released a report on the rapidly rising cost consumers are battling at the grocery stores.

Though the numbers centered on the New York City metropolitan area, where the findings showed prices have risen 25.2% since 2019 and low-income households are paying substantially more toward food than before the pandemic, there is pain nationwide. “My office is keeping a close eye on what is driving affordability issues in the city and state, and it has not escaped anyone that higher food costs have hit household budgets in New York City hard, with price increases outpacing income growth,” DiNapoli said. “Food prices rose sharply during the pandemic, putting more New Yorkers at risk of going hungry. Now the implementation of tariffs and potential cuts to federal food and other support programs may exacerbate the problem. State and local efforts to promote access to high quality, affordable food are more important than ever to reduce food insecurity and ensure New York’s families have enough to eat.”

Nationally, DiNapoli’s office found, food made up the third largest share — about 12.9% — of overall spending for the average household, or about $9,664, in 2022-23, according to the data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In New York City, food costs made up the fourth largest share — 12.5% — at $11,288, exceeding the national average.

No matter how you slice it, consumers are being drained — and it is not due to the local supermarkets or shops as they are dealing with higher supply chain costs as well. Most of the blame has to go to inflation, bird flu, the annually increasing state minimum wage and tariff worries.

Those impacted the most by the rising prices are also the ones impacted the most here at home by the rising property taxes — those living at or below the poverty line. That is one of the major concerns from the recent DiNapoli report.

In Chautauqua County, the poverty rate is about 17% — and higher in the cities with 25% in Dunkirk and 24% in Jamestown. “With the potential for continued foreseen and unforeseen pressures on food prices, the provision of assistance for food remains critical for many families,” DiNapoli’s news item noted. “State and local programs that help families experiencing food insecurity and encourage access to high-quality and affordable food, especially in light of potential changes to federal programs, will continue to be necessary to ensure families do not go hungry.”

If need is growing in the nation’s largest city, there is no question food pantries in Chautauqua County are seeing increased demand. According to the FeedMore WNY website, there are nearly 40 soup kitchens and pantries in operation in Chautauqua County and neighboring southern Erie and western Cattaraugus counties. But not all these locations can be accessed seven days a week, especially in the most rural of sites where service can be offered one day each week.

Two of the largest providers are those in Jamestown and Dunkirk — St. Susan Center Dining Room and Chautauqua County Rural Ministry. As homeless populations continue to be on the rise in the largest municipalities, these agencies are being stretched to the limit.

Cherie Rowland, St. Susan Center executive director, said last month the center is on pace to serve 60,000 meals or more in 2025. That would be a record-breaking year in a sad way for serving the community. In the north county,

Rural Ministry officials say they serve 44,000 at the Friendly Kitchen annually with demand increasing by 300 meals each month. “Those numbers are pretty shocking because we’re such a small community,” said Bridget Majka, Rural Ministry executive director. “The fact that we’re pumping out that many meals for people, it’s just wonderful that we’re able to do it.”

FeedMore WNY, which is one of the major contributors to both agencies, recently warned of the impact of federal reductions. It said this year the U.S. Department of Agriculture had to cancel purchases by the The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Last year, FeedMore WNY distributed approximately 15.8 million pounds of food through its food bank distribution network. About 2.1 million pounds — roughly 13% of the total pounds distributed– came from the eliminated funding from last year.

That’s not reassuring for this community’s population. In fact, while Census poverty figures are already above the national average of 12%, there are even greater concerns for the youth who live here.

State Education Department statistics reveal 62% of those attending county schools are economically disadvantaged, which was formerly the category of students receiving reduced or free lunches. Districts with the highest rates included: Jamestown, 83%; Dunkirk, 78%; Westfield Academy & Central Schools, 71%; and Ripley at 70%. Those with the lowest rates were Forestville at 36% and Bemus Point at 37%.

On Saturday, residents can make a difference through their mail carrier in the annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. To participate, simply leave a bag of nonperishable food items near your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up during their route. All the donations will stay local to support area food pantries.

That’s one way to deliver assistance in the community — without having to make an extra trip.

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.