LEXINGTON, Ky. — Food assistance groups in Lexington say rising food and fuel costs are straining their budgets as more Kentuckians face food insecurity.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture ranks Kentucky as the second worst state in the nation for food insecurity. USDA data also shows Kentuckians are experiencing their highest level of food insecurity in 20 years.
At the Big Blue Pantry, Andrew Perkins said the goal is to help students focus on school by making sure they have access to food.
“We want to help remove the barrier for students to focus on what matters most. And that’s their education,” Perkins said.
Perkins said the pantry has seen an increase in student use so far this semester while also dealing with higher costs.
“It affects us, how much we can purchase for our store,” Perkins said. “Of course it affects the students, how much they’re able to purchase on their own and then they have to come to us for additional help.”
Fuel costs are also creating pressure for food banks. The U.S. Energy Administration reported a gallon of diesel cost about $6.30 in September, almost $3 more than it cost in 2024.
“What was costing us one thing a year ago is now double, almost triple in cost,” said Alex Maddox of God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington.
Maddox said the food bank operates a fleet of trucks, with some costing four figures to fill with fuel. He said the food bank is also seeing higher costs for buying food in bulk and a decrease in food from the USDA.
Those changes have forced God’s Pantry Food Bank to reallocate other funds to buy more food and keep shelves stocked, Maddox said.
“We’re fortunate that we are large enough to sort of have that flexibility with our budgets, but we know for a fact that many of the partner agencies that are working with us to distribute food out to our neighbors here in Kentucky, might not have that much flexibility,” Maddox said.
Maddox said one encouraging sign has been an increase in philanthropy.
“The demand continues to rise, but what we know is that the community’s response rises with it,” Maddox said.
God’s Pantry Food Bank’s overall revenue has increased by almost $25 million over the last two years, with most of that coming through donations, including from large retail stores and Kentuckians looking to give back.
Both the Big Blue Pantry and God’s Pantry Food Bank accept online donations, as well as nonperishable, unopened food items.
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