Food insecurity threatens Grand Forks area residents who are struggling to make ends meet

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is part of a Grand Forks Herald series about food insecurity in the region.

GRAND FORKS – As approximately one in 10 residents in Grand Forks struggles with food insecurity, the need for food assistance in this region is growing, according to Feeding America research. It’s evident by the increasing demand and inventory shortages at local food pantries.

Individual and family budgets are squeezed by the rising costs that affect everything from food and rent to utilities and child care.

“With the uptick in food costs, plus other cost-of-living costs, unfortunately food is oftentimes the one that people (chose) to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul,’ if you will,” said Nathaniel Johnson, assistant professor of nutrition and dietetics and a researcher at UND.

They need t