Rural America copes with food prices

Kershaw, October 3 (One World) Rural America is making tough decisions in the face of rising food costs. Choices include where to buy, what and when to eat and whether to eat at all.

Known for homegrown vegetables and farmer's markets, rural towns like Kershaw, South Carolina, are returning to their farming roots. Independent Grocer's Association (IGA) Foodliner is changing the way it buys produce for it customers.

Rather than relying on regional corporate suppliers, the grocery store is buying produce locally to offer affordable foods. Foodliner's manager says, "We have to offer local produce to lower costs to keep from throwing away the food we cannot sell."

Luxury food items, like higher priced cuts of meat and seafood, are not selling as well as they did last year. On the other hand, less expensive alternatives are selling out. Canned tuna, potted meats and beans are selling faster than ever before. Residents are looking for cost effective alternatives to fresh meats.

He could not state how much the change in his sales can be credited to gas prices. "I know I am seeing some people who used to shop out of town. Now, they can't afford the gas to drive that far."

In the local newspaper, The Kershaw News-Era, ads for farm animals have doubled in the last three months. Breeders are advertising goats, chickens, pigs and cattle as a food source rather than as pets.

Turkey and poultry farm owners are answering local demand for immediate access to products. To cut shipping costs, farms are selling packaged poultry and eggs at the processing plants directly to the public.

Handmade signs line the residential roads advertising fresh fruits and vegetables for sale. Local residents allow anyone to stop and buy their home-grown wares. In the past, these foods would have been canned and given to friends and family.

Today, families are selling these foods to make ends meet. They cannot afford to give any away. Some gardeners gather on vacant corners of crossroads with ice chests filled with vegetables for sale. One lifelong seller says, "This used to be a hobby. Now, I need the money to put food on my own table."

Family Feed & Seed is seeing more sales this summer in seeds and nursery plants. The owner, Mark Rosengrant says, "When the plant is a dollar and one tomato is a dollar, no wonder everyone wants plants." Rosengrant says that he sees more new faces every week looking for a way to save money at the grocery store.

Kershaw Area Resource Exchange (KARE) has begun opening its doors three times per week to meet the community needs. The KARE food bank distributes three times more food stores than its previous high since opening its doors.

KARE director, Mike Hilton says, "With the rising costs of gas, energy and food, more families need our help to feed their children." Hilton says that families need monetary help because they are making choices to pay bills or buy food since they cannot afford to do both.

One KARE recipient says, "I need food for my kids. I paid the electric bill so they wouldn't turn it off. If I go hungry, that's one thing, but I have to feed my kids."

Another came on behalf of her 86 year old mother. "Mama can't keep the lights on, go to the doctor and buy food. At least [KARE] will give her some food."

The change in food spending is evident in the health changes of the community. At-risk senior citizens are being treated more often at Sentinel Health Partners for ailments like shingles, anemia and malnutrition. Influenza is expected to be a larger concern this year based on nutrition-related immune deficiencies.

Adult residents are losing weight. One of the clinic doctors says, "It is not a conscious decision for most of these folks. They simply don't have as much to eat."

Children are not growing at the same rate. The doctor attributes this to smaller portions at the dinner table. "It is hard to get parents to admit that their children are not getting enough to eat."

School cafeteria worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, says, "The children eat all their lunch no matter what we serve. Even the picky eaters are cleaning their plates." This could be considered a benefit: Children are receiving and eating a balanced meal at least once per day.

The elementary schools report that more children are eating breakfast at school. Parents have weighed the cost of school breakfast versus buying and preparing the food themselves. School breakfast is cheaper.

Area restaurants do not win the same battle. Fewer people are dining out. The average cost for a family of four to eat at a restaurant is $38.00. A well-budgeted, balanced meal for four at the grocery store is $13.00. In combination with homegrown foods, the same meal is as low as $7.00.

Rural America is choosing to shop smarter, grow its own food or do without it.

Author's note: Many people interviewed for this piece were unwilling to allow their names or quotes in print. Each described the strife over food prices and hunger as demoralizing, inhumane and shameful. Revealing publicly the inability to feed oneself is too great for most.

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